WE spend less than two hours in their company and yet we care deeply about Dembe and Sam, thanks to some skilful and perceptive writing by Chris Urich.

Being gay in Uganda means your face could end up splashed all over the papers, in what can only be described as a "gallery of shame" usually reserved for common criminals.

In The Rolling Stone these two engaging characters, fun loving and living life to the full, are taking a huge risk. Especially Dembe, whose brother is the pastor at the church he attends.

For me, theatre is at its best when it makes you sit up and think and this thought provoking piece, currently playing at the Royal Exchange Theatre does just that.

If I have a gripe it's with the ending - it left me aching for some sort of conclusion, happy or otherwise. There's definitely another piece to be written here if Urich wants to re-visit these likeable and refreshingly non-stereotypical gay characters.

Performances on a completely bare RET stage are as believable as they are powerful, with Fiston Barek and Robert Gilbert in outstanding form as Dembe and Sam. Sam does a nice line in irreverence in a society ruled by religion.

The best performance comes from Sule Rimi as pastor Joe, with the actor giving his all, and what feels like a bit more, in this fascinating and demanding role.

The Rolling Stone is running alongside Anna Karenina and I hope it gets the houses it deserves. It's a breath of fresh air, an expertly crafted masterpiece and a must see production.

* Until May 2. The box office is on 0161 833 9833. Star rating - ****