Former GP Farine Clarke’s medical comedy approaches an intriguing concept with compassion and features a cast of colourful characters.Rating
Good
Until Heartsink, I had not seen a show that probably has an allocated cake budget, but I can now tick this off my list! Farine Clarke’s new play centres on Dr Jeffrey Longford (Aden Gillet), a GP who has served his community for decades, as he receives a terminal cancer diagnosis. With his world turned upside down, he struggles to adjust to being on the other side of the desk, now receiving the bad news instead of delivering it. Though undoubtedly a comedy, tenderness runs throughout the work.
Clarke’s witty script is energetically delivered by a strong cast. Cara (Kathy Kiera Clarke) Dr Longborn’s longtime patient and presumably a hypochondriac who insists there must be something wrong with her, brings along carrot cake (a recipe handed down by her witchy ancestor) to her weekly Thursday appointments. The recurring motif of Cara’s cake later becomes a symbol of friendship and closure for Jeffrey’s friends and family. Completing the cast are Dr Roofi (Vikash Bhai), Jeffrey’s GP colleague, and Suzie (Megan Marszal), a hospital receptionist with a proclivity to being “a shit”, as she puts it, with whom Jeffrey forms a bond.
Clarke’s medical knowledge and experience as a GP, lends itself well here. ‘Write what you know’, as they say. Interesting points are raised by Jeffrey as he navigates his diagnosis, such as how patients are labelled by their conditions rather than as people first. The topic of assisted dying is also approached. As Jeffrey considers taking this path to assume control and protect his loved ones from what is to come, Dr Roofi berates him, declaring it an unethical cheat code to death. Cathy, on the other hand, who is not what she seems, is on the opposite side of the spectrum to Dr Roofi. It works to have both arguments presented, however the examination of these topics and of the medical profession are a little obvious.
Clarke’s exploration of grief through a devastating monologue delivered by Kiera Clarke’s Cara is striking and beautifully performed. The playwright creates strong connections between her characters, resulting in touching scenes and revelations on life, friendship and mortality. The story does become a little repetitive in places though; Jeffrey is objectively a good person but this point is made one too many times to justify events. We see his professional life, yet his home and family life isn’t explored at all, which hinders full understanding of his character.
Design (Matteo Mastrandrea) is appropriately medical, with white curtains wrapping around the back of the stage, emulating a patient bay. A green plastic desk is wheeled around by the cast during transitions to create different locations (Jeffrey’s and Dr Roofi’s offices and the cancer treatment waiting room), along with a row of plastic beam seats. There is even a green shiny floor to solidify the clinical feel.
The cast are the highlight here. Alongside Gillet’s stirring central performance, Marszal’s Susie, a brainiac in disguise, is a lot of fun to watch as she challenges Jeffrey, batting back wordy, sarcastic chatter, eventually cracking his hard outer shell. Cara develops unexpectedly and is embodied faultlessly by Kiera Clarke. Although performed wonderfully, Bhai’s Dr Roofi is rather underdeveloped in comparison to other characters, who appear more multifaceted.
The script doesn’t always hit the mark. Although the twist is heartbreaking and cleverly unfolded, it could do with delving a bit deeper into the nitty gritty of the medical profession and provide all characters with equal depth. However, it is Sean Turner’s adeptness at directing comedy that really shines, meaning that the show succeeds in making an impact emotionally.
Directed by Sean Turner
Written by Farine Clarke
Design by Matteo Mastrandrea
Heartsink runs at Riverside Studios until Sunday 10 May.
