HEART WALL Bush Theatre, W12

UNIVERSAL , INTIMATE, TRUE Sometimes it’s more than worth it to flog irritably through a London strike day, make it without even time for a drink but find something plain wonderful. And that is not only because Katie Greenall’s production invites audiences to enter the pub set fifteen minutes early, with Olivia Forrest’s Charlene idly playing darts, and be invited by the barman Valentine to have a go at the karaoke . On my night two stellar audience performances, one from a robust Britneyesque figure in a tutu, one a crooning duet of “Somethin’ stupid” by a pair who only just met in the bar). So far, fun: that essential theatrical determination to draw you into a world. As they retire to general cheers begins one of the best new plays since Tom Wells’ The Kitchen Sink (also a Bush premiere) . Like that, Kit Withington’s family drama offers a gift of wisdom and humour from a sensitivity formed well north of Watford. It’s simple enough, though finally as serious about the human heart…

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