Ena May, a graduate of the Stanislavski school of acting founded by the late Deirdre O'Connell in the Focus Theatre, has returned there with a new stage work of her own - a one-woman version of three stories from her 1998 collection entitled A Close Shave with the Devil, a shop window for her talents.

The central character throughout is young Eily Doolin, a child of 1940s Dublin growing up in a working class milieu. In the first story, Eily has an uneasy friendship with a girl named Itchy Reilly. They quarrel, their mothers get involved, Itchy has a sneaky revenge and Eily gets even in her own way. It is a persuasive microcosm of a particular time and social milieu.

Time passes, and Eily gets to know the Smiths, an English couple consisting of a very small, dapper husband and an elephantine wife. One day she accepts an invitation by Mr Smith to tea and they are having some apparently innocent fun when his wife arrives and goes ape; it seems he is up to "his old tricks". The fun ends in tragedy.

The confusing world of men bears down on the girl, who is beginning to be taught about the devil and holy purity - but what is it? She is rescued from a molester posing as a priest, but is not so lucky with the groundsman of the local tennis club. He molests her sexually and, recognising him as the devil she has been warned about, she finds a terrible way to exorcise him.

Short stories do not always transfer well to the stage, but Ena May inhabits her own writing with great versatility, switching characters with a change of accent or physical movement, always convincing. The intimate theatre is perfect for the cast of miniatures she creates, and it is always a pleasure to watch a mature actress at the top of her form.

Runs to November 17th; booking at 01-6763071