EWAN McGregor and the rest of the Brit pack of actors should watch their backs. They're not getting any younger, and there are eight incredibly youthful boys (men?) in Bolton, who convinced me last night, that the town is the breeding ground for the next hot new name.

In Les Smith's gritty drama, these youngsters, some still at school, gave mesmerising and powerful performances.

The play is based on the true story of a group of young offenders at Risley remand centre. We're introduced to the characters, lying on their bunks and even at this early stage there's an atmosphere of underlying menace. This is mainly down to Strachey, a psychopathic racist bully, who is played beautifully by Adam Grayson.

But the atmosphere becomes steadily more menacing as the group is introduced to their new cell mate, Billy Jones, who has been accused of sexually assaulting and killing a nine-year-old girl.

Mission

Strachey makes it his mission to find out exactly what the pitiful Billy has done.

When Billy spills the beans (a wonderful, studied portrayal by the young Gareth Balshaw), a mock trial is hastily convened and Billy is tried and found guilty. His sentence - death by hanging.

There was superb support from five fine young actors, Chris Holt, Martin Costello, Ian Clarke, Vinny Armstrong and Chris Wallace.

But last night's 'Oscar' award goes to an incredible young actor, Rob Curley who played the cell's mouthy, drug-dealing philosopher Weston - a powerful performance which conveyed Weston's anger and tragedy, and belied the young actor's age for its depth.

Judging Billy Jones is a play that in just over an hour - on a strikingly simple set consisting of three bunks - explores many themes from bullying and victimisation, to the issues of sexuality and racial prejudice. Les Smith JENNIFER BRADBURY

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