health

April 27, 2026

Heartsink review

Riverside Studios, LondonJeffrey Longford is pedantic and superior in Farine Clarke’s medical drama – griping at everything from hospital data systems to gender-neutral loos

Heartsink review

TL;DR

  • The play centers on Dr. Jeffrey Longford, who becomes a difficult patient after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
  • It explores themes of euthanasia and the structure of the NHS, but these discussions are brief and simplistic.
  • The protagonist is portrayed as pedantic and superior, complaining about various aspects of the healthcare system.
  • The play is criticized for its anaemic human drama, flat characters, and crude dialogue exposition.
  • The pacing is slow, and the gallows humor is not sufficiently effective.
  • Moments of potential are noted, such as discussions about bedside vigils and the alienation of patients, but they swerve back to prosaic dialogue.

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