WHEN it became known that the Vatican press release issued following the death of Pope John Paul I in 1978 was largely false, speculation instantly began to swirl about what exactly happened.

The events leading up to John Paul's death after just 33 days as pontiff are now the subject of The Last Confession, the first play from the pen of New York lawyer, Roger Crane, a thought-provoking play that raises the "was-he or wasn't he?" question but doesn't presume to answer it.

The confession of the title is that of Cardinal Giovanni Benelli, who engineered the election of the little-known Albino Luciani to the papacy following the death of Pope Paul VI. As the play opens, he is confessing to having caused "the smiling pope's" death, through his own lust for power and his pride. David Suchet, well known as Hercule Poirot, is scarcely recognisable here as the Belgian with the waxed moustache.

He is simply outstanding, utterly convincing as a Vatican insider, beset by doubts about his faith, but dogged in his determination to discover the truth.

Heading an unusually large cast of 16, his performance is mesmerising and unforgettable, and the questions raised by a script that could be accused of playing it slightly too often for laughs, will ensure the play lingers long after the curtain comes down.

The Last Confession plays at Malvern Theatres until Saturday. For tickets, call the box office on 01684 892277 or at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk PM