We round up the reviews for Kit Withington’s drama, playing until the 16th May.
The Guardian: *** “Ultimately, Heart Wall bites off more than it can chew in well under two, interval-free hours. With more space, maybe more karaoke, this play could do justice to the drama at its big, aching heart.”
Everything Theatre: *** “Heart Wall has a bit of everything: community atmosphere, comedy and reflections on grief and ageing. It is an enjoyable night out and, if you are planning to attend, make sure to get there early to sign up for your turn on the stage.”
The Reviews Hub: ***** “In one hour and 40 minutes without an interval, this absorbing, funny and moving story—which explores connection, memory and belonging—will have you hooked.”
London Theatre.co.uk: ** “The karaoke framing device adds little to the theatricality or the themes of the play, aside from briefly providing a moment of mother/daughter bonding. Dez remarks that every night is karaoke time at The Sun Inn, so it’s no longer an occasion (it used to be a sing-song in which everyone would join in and there was no need for mics or screens). It all needs a stronger pulse and bloodflow to make for compelling drama.”
London Theatre Reviews.co.uk: **** “Described as bittersweet, Heart Wall fully earns that label. This tragi-comedy is both moving and entertaining, and well worth seeing.”
Time Out: *** ” Heart Wall isn’t a perfect show, but it is an entertaining one that left me profoundly moved.”
Fringe Review: “Manchester-based Withington proves a revelatory force, a dramatist with much to say and (that one caveat aside) an enormously skilful way of delivering it. . The cast are uniformly excellent. And the poignant final scene is one of the most remarkable reveals in recent theatre, and makes this play an absolutely compelling must-see.”
Rev Stan’s Theatre Blog: *** “Heart Wall has a slow build before it gives any clues or answers to what this family is tiptoeing around. Maybe a little too slow.”
All That Dazzles: *** “In its final moments, the themes building beneath the surface of Heart Wall do rise to the top, and the last scene is a compelling, human moment which ties everything neatly together without losing those unanswerable, deeply human questions loss leaves with us. At 100 minutes, the show is perhaps a touch too slow to get going, and lingers a short while too long in places where it ought to forge ahead.”
London Theatre 1: ***** “This production deserves to travel far beyond its current home. With its universal themes and richly drawn characters, it is easy to imagine Heart Wall resonating with audiences far and wide. A triumph – warm, witty, and deeply human. Bravo!”
The Stage: **** “Kit Withington’s downbeat family drama is lent charm and heart by its charismatic and committed cast.”
WhatsOnStage: *** “Heart Wall is poignant and thought-provoking: with a tighter focus, it could deliver even more impact.”
Theatre & Tonic: ** “At its core, Heart Wall deals with relatable ideas—family, loss, and the difficulty of moving forward when the past won’t stay buried. But it often feels like it’s skimming the surface rather than fully exploring them, circling its themes instead of digging into them.”
Broadway World: *** “All in all, Heart Wall is alright, but could be better. It won’t drastically alter your worldview or pull your heart out or have you sob in any way, but it will tend to a specific twinge in your chest.”
Theatre Weekly: *** “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.”
The Upcoming: **** “Although it did feel as though the tragic reveal was dragged out for longer than it needed to be, Heart Wall tells a very human and very sentimental tale. Withington dedicates this story of parental love to her father, using the stage to explore the relationship that defines so many of our lives.”
To book tickets visit: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/heart-wall/