CUTTING edge drama Ladybird comes to the Lowry in Salford Quays next week.

Penned by Vassily Sigarev and translated by Sasha Dugdale, the play is the work of Northern Gap Theatre Company and runs at the venue from Tuesday to Thursday.

In a run-down block of flats in deepest Russia, 19-year-old Dima is about to leave for the army but is determined to throw a farewell party before he leaves.

This tale of friendship, humour, betrayal and violence is a multi-media production, featuring both film and live performance.

Sigarev's brilliant portrait of the new Russian psyche is brought to life by a young, dynamic company.

Ladybird is the bittersweet tale of Dima, who is awaiting the arrival of his friends for a farewell party on the eve of his call-up to join the Russian army, probably in Chechnya.

He is accompanied by his furniture-munching junkie friend, Slavik, and his drink-sozzled father, aptly named The Waster.

Local tart-with-a-heart Lera soon arrives with her rather more well-to-do cousin Yul'ka in tow, but it is when small-time Mafia crook, Arkasha, appears that things really start to hot up For tickets call the box office on 0870 787 5780.