The Normal Heart

It is extremely rare when a revival of such a significant and ground-breaking play can produce the same level of power and heart wrenching moments forty years since HIV/AIDS first appeared and 35 years since its original London production . Even more difficult when the wonderful 'It's A Sin' by Russell T Davies had such a huge impact, dealing with the same subject last year.

This production of Larry Kramer's play delivers on every level. It is easy to see the care and sincerity with which Dominic Cooke , as director, has brought this play back to prominence. He has made full use of the in-the- round configuration to create an arena were the simple and harsh structures of Vicki Mortimer's set, morph into the numerous locations. Having an audience almost fully masked as a background to the action makes it all the more visceral.

This is a play where the brutal neglect and refusal to accept the seriousness of an emerging disease creates many parallels with the handling of our current situation. But even more heightened, it exposes the wanton abandonment with some of the most powerfully political and emotional speeches ever written.

Ben Daniels as Ned Weeks is astonishing. His portrayal of the activist out on a limb and often fighting with his own fellow collaborators and friends to gain action, is incredibly powerful. Yet when it becomes a personal fight too, he exposes the true struggle within him. As Felix Turner , Ned's lover, Dino Fetscher totally captures the joy that exists in a loving relationship. Their partnership is so perfect that it makes the conclusion all the more heart wrenching.

Lizz Carr as Dr Emma Brookner has such sarcasm and wit and is then able to turn that on its head when she battles to be heard by the authoriites. It feels almost wrong to single out actors in what is a brilliant ensemble piece.

This is theatre at its heart-breaking best, and leaves the audiences emotional broken and in disbelief.