Old familial scars bleed anew as Kit Withington’s new drama comes to the Bush Theatre. Directed by Katie Greenall, Heart Wall sees Rowan Robinson’s Franky return to her hometown and her local pub, only to be greeted by dysfunction both within her family and herself in a familiar but ultimately underwhelming contemporary drama.
To its credit, the production contains some interesting ideas, with Withington’s script presenting flawed characters who, in their own way, are trying to navigate feelings of grief, stagnation, and long-festering resentment. Hazel Low’s set design is impressive, transforming the Bush Theatre stage into a cosy yet ailing pub, while Greenall utilises some fun audience participation to make the setting feel more immersive. Arguably, the best moments of the show come when the actors utilise the set to its fullest potential, with some clever features built in to aid the overall storytelling; unfortunately, these moments are about as innovative and original as the story gets.
While Heart Wall refuses to run from the moral complexities of its characters, it also finds itself relying on well-worn tropes, meaning that the execution of some fascinating ideas is largely predictable. Withington resists the temptation to spoon-feed the audience, but despite the air of mystery and a patient approach to revealing the source of the collective tension, almost every bit of pay-off goes exactly where you’d expect, leading to several dramatic moments that just aren’t as effective as one would hope.
Despite this, the performances from the cast are incredibly engaging. Rowan Robinson delivers a potent and nuanced turn as Franky, ably selling a character who is caught between the needs of her family and her own internal chaos. Deka Walmsley’s Dez strikes a tragic figure, nailing an effective balance between the character’s warm humour and his abrasive instability. Olivia Forrest serves the audience with many of their biggest laughs as Franky’s best friend, Charlene, effortlessly pulling off the more comedic beats of the script while perfectly selling the frustration that lies underneath the bluster. Sophie Stanton and Aaron Anthony give quietly powerful performances, with both providing an understated emotional bedrock that serves to accentuate the more chaotic characters.
There’s plenty to like about Heart Wall. Withington’s script has some genuinely funny moments, and there’s a warm humanity at the heart of it that enables most of the cast to show some of their range as performers. If one is looking for a moving family drama, then this is certainly a good enough destination, but there isn’t much within the show that will surprise or inspire. There is more than enough to it to keep the Bush Theatre audience entertained, but the play just doesn’t make the best use of its lengthy runtime, leading to a relatable if forgettable production that doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression.
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