Who Cares, Royal Court ****

You know that you are experiencing a play with heart when you are offered tea as part of the piece. The Royal Court, which has been lampooned recently for a mistimed and ill judged move with The Twits (which I am seeing later on in the run), has done quite the opposite with a verbatim play about the NHS that comes at the perfect time in the run up to a general election. This is the first in a run off plays in subsidised theatre that are preparing for the election, with the National playing Light Shining in Buckinghamshire where they are also reading extracts from the transcript of the 1647 Putney Debates, and The Vote at the Donmar where I would sell my soul in the hope of getting a ticket. However, I don't think that any play could have as much heart as this rather wonderful experience at the Royal Court. You enter into a side building which has transformed into an A and E waiting room. From which, the audience are broken up into groups in what could be the most complex system in getting an audience to move into precise places at precise times and then meet up at exactly the same time at the main Jerwood theatre. This feat is executed impressively in a way that I can't quite comprehend.This is a totally different theatrical experience which I loved. It creates an intelligent debate without picking a side, leaving us to choose who to believe. It brings out the humanity of the NHS through characters such as Marjorie, played with heart by Eileen O'Brian. The rest of the ensemble cast bring together this potentially dry piece and gives it charisma and beauty. This complex play is something that people need to see, not just because of the content but it provides an alternative theatrical experience.