Review: HEARTSINK, Riverside Studios

Heartsink, a bittersweet medical comedy by Unequal Productions that's premiering at Riverside Studios, is a little gem. In only 85 minutes (no interval) writer Farine Clarke, a former GP, deftly deals with weighty issues such as an overstretched NHS, technology versus humanity, racism, assisted dying, the generation gap and how physicians need to learn to heal themselves. 

Mercifully, this is not a didactic play. We don't feel we're being preached at and we root for Clarke's characters all the way. Kathy Kiera Clarke (Aunt Sarah from Derry Girls) heads up a terrific cast and also lends the drama its title. 

She plays Cara, a "heartsink patient". A phrase coined by the medical profession in 1988, heartsink means a patient who evokes a negative response of despair and inadequacy in doctors. Heartsink patients have numerous complaints and make frequent visits. 

Cara visits Dr Jeffrey Longford (a strong Aden Gillett at his reliably best) in his surgery every Thursday, armed with homemade carrot cake, to request more and more tests. Old-school Longford is wonderfully understanding even though he knows she's taking up precious time while a large number of people pile up in the waiting room.

The plot hinges round Longford trying to deal with becoming a patient himself (SPOILER - not well) and how Dr Roofi (Vikash Bhai), his number two in the surgery, attempts to steer Longford in the right direction.

Director Sean Turner (The Play That Goes Wrong) keeps things simple with a set consisting of a large desk, computer and some plastic chairs. Focusing on the actors, Turner gets admirable performances from all of them.

Clarke, with her charming Northern Irish lilt, is hilarious as Cara. Her comic timing is spot on. We eventually discover her moving reasons for visiting the doctor so often and another deeper side to her character. 

We feel exasperated at times with intransigent Longford, but also warm to his good intentions and desire to connect with patients. Gillett's superb performance switches from annoying stubbornness to astute kindness in a heartbeat.

Bhai's excellent as Dr Roofi, the antithesis to Longford. He keeps to his 10-minute slots with patients and is far better at using technology, but has had his own issues fitting into a rural Somerset practice.

I also really loved Megan Marszal's lively portrayal of receptionist Suzie. Suzie's not just a two-dimensional bit part in Marszal's hands and she develops her relationship with Longford in a meaningful way. 

Heartsink is a heart-lifting and heart-breaking production – and one that should not be missed. Do catch this heart-felt show while you can.

Heartsink runs at Riverside Studios until 10 May

Photo credits: Lidia Crisafulli