Review: Heartsink, Riverside Studios

(Photo Credit: Megan O'Neill)

Dr Jeffrey Longford is a skilled and tenured doctor, beloved by patients and colleagues alike. His work grind usually consists of giving his patients the time and attention they need, even if it means an over-crowded waiting room and reassuring a patient with hypochondria that everything is fine- but is it? When he finds himself on the other side of the doctor's office, he begins to question everything he thought he knew…

Written by Farine Clarke, a former GP, the current production at Riverside Studios marks 'Heartsink’s' official world premier and is running until the tenth of May. 

The content warnings provided by the venue were totally inadequate, hidden due to the company’s wish not to reveal a spoiler alert. The content warnings should, at the very least, be transparent when asked about at the box office (a happy middle ground) before the show. It’s a matter of consent. That being said, it doesn’t detract from the quality of the show. 

This play is exceptional.  

The performance is more powerful in part due to its lack of spectacle and sincere rawness in the design (Matteo Mastrandrea). The stage space is stark and clinical, lacking in dynamism to give the quite confrontational effect that there is nowhere to hide. 

Waiting room pre-show music adds to the atmosphere and even though I anticipate that it is a medical comedy, part of the show’s initial appeal to me, something feels off. 

In her script, Clarke explores a really interesting grey area that I’ve only recently come to appreciate the full extent of: that dark corridor with the flickering lights between the medical professional treating patients and the medical professional becoming the patient. The giving of a prognosis vs the receiving of one. 

Yes, 'Heartsink' has an air of natural authenticity and we are inclined to trust it more in the knowledge that the show has been written by a former GP, but there is more to it than that. 

It has been dramatised for a reason and uses the medium well- to dare to shed a light on socially deemed hush matters. 

It examines challenging subjects, such as assisted suicide (Dignitas)/euthanasia for terminal illness, control over medical care and how medical jargon is simultaneously needed and alienating, with grace and respect. With different characters representing different viewpoints, the show doesn’t judge, rather it opens up a conversation. It invites us to reflect and ask questions. 

There are some sporadic yet highly comedic moments in the show, although arguably there aren’t enough elements of comedy to call it one or even a dark comedy, especially given the overall tone and lengthy scenes airing on the more heartbreaking side of things. The fact that Clarke is brave enough to really go deep into the more serious aspects is what makes it stand out as a potent piece of drama. 

The quality of the acting is outstanding. Kathy Kiera Clarke, who plays the role of Cara, gives such a layered and gripping performance. She doesn’t overplay her character’s hypochondria, instead she carefully considers the nuances and shows empathy and compassion towards her in her presentation. 

Vikash Bhai characterises Dr Roofi as the ultimate best friend to Dr Longford. Bhai’s acute sense of vocal control and attention to detail in his gestures conveys his character’s undying love for his bestie even during moments of contention. He seems to have a natural chemistry with Adam Gillett (Dr Longford), which grounds the relationship between the two so that we really care about these characters and root for them as a team.

This play is a diagnosis, the start of something indefinite. 

***** Five Stars

Age rating: Fifteen plus

Content notes: Blackout transitions, bright hospital-esque lights, discussions about the death of a child, grief, discussions about suicide and assisted dying, terminal illness/cancer, medical jargon/discussion of illness, death.

For more information and tickets for the run at Riverside Studios: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/whats-on/Gg-heartsink-starring-kathy-kiera-clarke-derry-girls/

There is also a post show Q&A on the sixth of May, which addresses both issues raised in the play and explores the show further.