It was brave and clever of Amharclann de hIde to opt to set a production unapologetically in a Gaeltacht, where one dialect is unapologetically spoken. An Druma Mor, Seosamh Mac Grianna's famous novel, is set in a small Donegal village and explores the clash of local pride with nationalist politics, through the story of the demise of the local pipe and drum band, whose most prized possession is a drum very like a Lambeg. In fact, it is fascinating how the work prefigures the images of Frank Mc Guinness's Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, in which the big drum beats out the pride of a local area, until its drummer is silenced by another brand of nationalism.

Mac Grianna's story is crying out for a stage version, and the theatricality of the big drum is surely irresistible. Seamas Mac Annaidh has done a fine adaptation. However, sadly, it will have to wait for a better production to do it justice. Brid O Gallchoir's direction is static and unimaginative - mystifyingly so, for a director of her inventiveness. She doesn't exploit the potential of the drum at all - it is surprising, for instance, that she doesn't bring it through the auditorium. The blocking falls into endless cliche: the chiefs of the tribe standing around debating an issue, the villagers miming excitement at a far-off spectacle . . . There is just one lovely image, as a young bride's veil is smoothly taken off her head to form a bundle of joy in her arms.

Of course, she was looking for actors with superb Donegal Irish and that is a hard task (though a frequent visitor to the Donegal Gaeltacht, I admit I missed much detail in the dialogue). Inevitably, much of the cast is not experienced enough on the professional stage; they did not so much inhabit their characters, as inhabit stereotypes of them. Sadly, then, this production is largely a missed opportunity.

Runs until Saturday. To book phone 01-6713387