It's rough, tough and expletive-laden - but this is what makes Get Carter the fantastically gritty production that it is.

I must confess, like a lot of plays with a famous silver screen version, I have not seen the Michael Caine film so had no high expectations.

But I was totally engrossed by the plot and the intense performances, particularly from Martin Douglas (Jack) and his streetwise niece Doreen, played by Amy Cameron.

The story follows the return of Jack Carter to Newcastle for his brother Frank's funeral - and Frank has died in, shall we say, suspicious circumstances.

Frank takes it upon himself to dig out the truth in the captivating piece of noir theatre - the pace of the dialogue changes throughout to dramatic, even sometimes comical, effect.

The set is used very well, with the backdrop of the brickyard the two brothers used to play on as kids overshadowing every scene.

Cameron plays a brilliant Doreen, a feisty yet vulnerable Geordie lass, while Douglas is a more than convincing Jack.

Torben Betts has done a great job of adapting Ted Lewis's novel Jack's Return Home and this excellent production is well worth going out to see.

Be prepared for a constant volley of bad language, however - I think the elderly lady sat next to me had expected something a little more quaint than this filthy-tongued thriller.

Get Carter is currently on a nationwide tour.