Robert Cohen's one-man show is set between the bleak days of Thatcherism and the brief hopeful dawn of the Blair age.

He plays Richie, a man deemed worthy to be godfather to his friends' baby Nelson.

The child is born at the height of the anti-Apartheid struggle in the mid-eighties, his name reflecting his parents' political idealism.

The play centres on Richie's rocky relationship with Nelson, the waning political zeal of Nelson's parents, and the emergence of Richie's.

Through a series of one-sided dialogues we witness the radical parents, Anton and Jo, becoming complacent conservatives.

With Richie's character moving in the other direction there is a strange tension to their relationship.

As Richie poses questions on the compatibility of capitalism and Christianity to an impressionable Nelson, the beliefs of the three adult protagonists collide.

The major political issue of Cohen's student life was the freeing of Nelson Mandela in South Africa but he wonders whether those same activists who fought for his release would be as vocal now if he had never been freed.

The play explores the way in which generation after generation of people lose their radical ideals and the strength of their youthful exuberance.

Of course, the writer gives due consideration to evolving priorities, shifting political situations and the changing of circumstance that time brings to bear upon the characters in the play.

Although based on serious themes, humour finds its way in "whether I like it or not," according to Cohen.

He also feels lucky to be able to put such a play on in Brighton as many of his contemporaries have had to head for London in pursuit of small fringe theatres such as the Marlborough.

He dreads the idea of having to leave a city he has called home since 1988, saying: "If the council don't protect their 'city of culture,' I fear the worst".

This would sadly mean an end to plays such as Dirty Sanchez, Late-Night Love-in, Cohen's previous acting appearance on this stage.

In it he had a memorable turn as a dying, lecherous, Spanish karaoke DJ.

Starts 8pm, Tickets £6/£5 concs, call 01273 647100.

Review by Humphrey Hill, features@theargus.co.uk