ONE of the most poignant of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads monologues performed with ease by Martin Murphy in this lunchtime production from Bewley's Cafe Theatre. He moves with comic timing between the characters - and north of England accents - of Graham the timid, psychologically fragile narrator, his amiably vacant mother with whom he lives, and her suitor, Mr Turnbull. When this old flame turns up unexpectedly, he disturbs mother and sons comfortable, mutually dependent, mutually frustrating routine of outings, Guardian editorials and tea cosy knitting.

Bennett's ear for the absurd non sequiturs of conversation and his mastery of black comedy and understatement make this script a joy. "It's gone beyond the tea cosy stage", his mother tells Graham after Mr Turnbull has proposed to her, and when Graham is reminded by a member of his day care group that older people have meaningful relationships, too, he comments derisively: "He doesn't have meaningful relationships; he was had up for exposing himself outside Sainsbury's. As Mother said, if it was Tesco's, you could understand it . . ."

Bennett's affection and sympathy for these characters is "upheld by the sensitive directing of Bairbre Ni Chaoimh and culminates in Graham's plain live, yet restrained, plea - "What about me?" - when it looks as if his safe world is about to be blown apart. A treat.