Kathy Kiera Clarke will star as Cara in Heartsink, a new bittersweet medical comedy written by former GP Farine Clarke and directed by Sean Turner. The production will premiere at Riverside Studios from Tuesday 21 April to Sunday 10 May.
Best known for her role as Aunt Sarah in Derry Girls, Clarke brings extensive stage and screen experience to the role. Her credits include Portia Coughlan at the Almeida Theatre, The Dry House at the Marylebone Theatre, Medea, Tartuffe and the film Bloody Sunday, for which she received an IFTA Award nomination.
The play centres on GP Jeffrey Longford, whose cancer diagnosis forces him to confront the medical world as a patient rather than a clinician. As he crosses the divide from confident doctor to frightened patient, Jeffrey must reassess his beliefs about labels, vulnerability and the ethical questions surrounding assisted dying.
Heartsink introduces a range of compelling characters, including Cara, an Irish patient whose hypochondria masks deeper truths, Suzie, a hospital receptionist with unexpected philosophical insight, and Dr Roofi, a colleague whose duties push against the limits of loyalty and conscience. The title comes from the term once used by doctors to flag a particularly challenging patient, here re-examined through themes of empathy and humanity.
Kathy Kiera Clarke said, “Farine’s writing is sharp, compassionate and very funny — even when it’s tackling the most serious subjects. Cara is a brilliant, multi-faceted, complex role and I’m delighted to be bringing this story to the stage at Riverside Studios.”
Farine Clarke said, “Kathy Kiera Clarke is perfect for Cara. She has a rare ability to find both the comedy and the emotional truth in a character, while at the same time demonstrating the ethereal, magical quality this role demands. Heartsink looks at what happens when a doctor suddenly finds themselves on the other side of the hospital bed. It’s a story about vulnerability, identity and the strange humour that often appears in the darkest moments — and Kathy is the ideal actor to bring that world to life.”
The creative team includes set designer Matteo Mastrandrea, lighting designer Chuma Lighting Design, sound designer Hattie North, designer Tom Mann and casting director Ellie Collyer-Bristow Casting. Full casting will be announced shortly.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
