PULITZER prize-winning stage and screen writer David Mamet uses words as weapons in his rightly acclaimed work.

Sometimes it's scattergun attacks, sometimes it's potshots but he invariably hits his targets.

His stage works include Glengarry Glen Ross, his film writing credits The Verdict and Wag The Dog (he received Oscar nominations for both)

Oleanna is a two-hander written by Mamet in 1992 which looks at the sexual power games between a university professor and his female student. It originally starred William H Macy, before his career in movies really took off, and he also featured in the largely forgotten movie version.

This Derby Theatre/Buxton Opera House production featuring former University of Derby theatre arts students comes from the same team behind the recent version of Educating Rita. Like Rita, it's an exploration of the teacher-pupil relationship. Unlike Rita, it's bitter rather than bittersweet.

College professor John is waiting to be accorded tenure and buying a bigger house to fit his new status. Carol is flunking his class and after a meeting in his office accuses him of sexual exploitation.

Tim Wyatt's John is enthralled with his own intellect. Alex Bedward's Carol emerges beautifully from a cocoon of nervousness to play her hand.

The director is Yvonne Hurt, who also took charge of Rita in July. She understands that the dialogue, and its delivery, are what matters most if we are to fully engage in this battle of the sexes that was born out of the rise of political correctness but which has lost none of its power to outrage and surprise.

The theatrical trappings are therefore kept to a minimum – it's an uncluttered and very focused production.

Mamet's play was fuelled by the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas sexual harassment case which has now faded from view. But despite being nearly 20 years old, Mamet's observations are still very acute. We may have drawn back from this level of political correctness but the play's thoughts on the rights to, and need for, higher education and the nature of the student-teacher relationship ring ever more true.

Typically, Mamet's characters are a hard pair to like and your sympathies are likely to twist and turn as the dispute unravels. But, if anything, that just makes us squirm evermore uncomfortably.

This production may have been better suited to a smaller, more intimate venue (like the Guildhall) where it might have gained an even greater intensity.

But if you want a thought -provoking evening, in the company of one of theatre's best wordsmith's, delivered directly and well, then Oleanna is for you.

OLEANNA

WHERE: Derby Theatre.

WHEN: Tonight (Oct 1) 7.30pm, tomorrow (Oct 2) 2.30pm and 7.30pm,

TICKETS: £10-£14 (concessions £10-£12).

CALL: 01332 255800.