AT last - a provocative piay that’s sure to spark a debate or two.

Mogadishu, the Royal Exchange Theatre’s latest production, is also frighteningly realistic and probably not the best advert for the teaching profession.

In Vivienne Franzmann’s uncompromising piece, it’s the kids who rule the school, to the point that they even smoke dope at break time.

Franzmann won the RET’s Bruntwood Playwriting Competition with this play and you don’t have to be top of the class to see why.

Her dialogue packs quite an emotional punch and light relief comes courtesy of some very clever humour.

Jason is a promising pupil who accuses one of his teachers of racial abuse, leaving her reputation seriously damaged and her career hanging by a thread.

In the playground, he’s all mouth and trousers, in reality, he’s been damaged by a family tragedy that has also left his father struggling to cope.

Matthew Dunster’s productions are invariably brilliant and this is a piece of theatre that will deeply affect those who see it.

Performances are strong and natural, to the point you forget you’re watching actors.

Malachi Kirby and Julia Ford are exceptional as Jason and the accused Amanda and Shannon Tarbet’s performance as Becky, Amanda’s troubled daughter, also left its mark on me.

There’s definitely more than one victim in this powerful play. Contains strong language.

* Until February 19. The box office is on 0161 833 9833.