With this Brighton and Hove premiere, the New Venture Theatre continues to enhance its reputation as a leading exponent of Arthur Miller's work.

While the play lasts a mere 100 minutes, it is a perfect example of compact writing with four beautifully-crafted characters who cry out for sensitive direction and fine acting - and, in this production, they get it.

Set in a state mental hospital, the play looks with sensitivity and humour at depression.

In the opening scene, two men meet in the waiting room on a visit to their wives.

Leroy Hamilton's wife, Patricia is there for the third time having been depressed and on medication for 15 years, while Karen Flick is a new arrival.

Her brash and insensitive husband blunders around looking for answers by interrogating the placid Leroy.

Having taken herself off medication for 21 days, Patricia begins to think about going home and uses her new-found wellbeing to give confidence to Karen who has retreated from reality into a world where she can dress up and tap dance.

In an emotional scene where he is accused of being a failure, Leroy angrily retorts that his wife has never really been ill and her problem is one of attitude from not being able to free her self from unrealistic expectations of life.

Despite this, the play ends on a note of hope for the Hamiltons but not so for the Flicks who seems doomed through the husband's lack of understanding.

The quality of the acting has the audience mesmerised throughout.

Jerry Lyne's Flick captures the essence of the man - confused and wanting explanations, while being oblivious to the fact he is the reason for his wife's breakdown.

He is contrasted by Mike Chowney as the quiet, unassuming Leroy, content to be a one-man business - for, as he puts it: "When you are the only one in the queue, you are always the head of the line."

Leila Leam shows particular skill in the use of facial expression that often speaks volumes, while Carlyle Cline shows how effective underplaying a part can be.

For tickets and information, call 01273 746118.