THE Library Theatre's new season opens with an anarchic, foul-mouthed comedy from local company Rocket Theatre.

Howie the Rookie takes theatregoers into the back streets, nightclubs and homes of a Dublin few tourists ever see.

Here senseless beatings, booze filled days and bored yobs punctuate the atmosphere with fear and language that will peel wallpaper.

The action centres around The Howie Lee and The Rookie Lee; who share the same name, the same world and eventually cross swords in more ways than one.

Howie, played by Padraic McIntyre, is the centre of the first act and also plays a handful of other disparate characters.

Whilst Rookie, played by Graeme Hawley, gives us his slant on life during the second act.

Both actors effortlessly flit from one larger-than-life character to another, none larger than the sexually-voracious Avalanche or the six foot tall Puddin' Boy.

Written by Irish playwright Mark O'Rowe the play is brutally tough and surprisingly tender, told in sexually-explicit and entirely authentic language.

The play careers to a bloody, yet heart-wrenching, finale and if you are looking for something different to get you back into the season Howie the Rookie will fit the bill.

The Library Theatre, Manchester until Saturday, August 31. Also Library Theatre, Darwen, on Friday, September 27.