J T Roger's play, a modern political thriller, was initially seen at The Tricycle in Kilburn when it lasted 25 minutes. It has now been extended to 135 minutes and hopefully it will reach a wide audience.

The play, well-researched, topical and accessible, has an epic sweep. Rogers concentrates on the 10-year period of the Soviet military engagement when the US was covertly providing the warlords with cash and arms. The terrible mistakes made then continue to haunt the world.

The script gains enormously from Howard Davies's smooth, impressive production and the extremely efficient designs by Ultz. The transitions between the many scenes are exemplary and the pace is never allowed to let up.

There are fine performances from Lloyd Owen (as a man of principles working for the CIA), Demosthenes Chrysan (as a wily Afghan warlord), Matthew March (as a wily Russian), Adam Craig (as a loud-mouthed Brit working for MI6) and Gerald Kyd (as a corrupt Pakistani secret serviceman).

The confrontations, the sparring and witty banter between these men have a satirical bite and a punchy urgency.

The central relationship is between the CIA man and the Afghan warlord. The message is loud and clear - the West cannot buy loyalty and they cannot trust even those with whom they have a deep rapport and think are their friends.

Lasting peace is no nearer now than it was 20 years ago. How many more lives will be lost?

Runs until November 2. Box office: (020) 7452 3000