Informed Consent

Published Thursday 9 October 2008 at 11:45 by Paul Vale

In a busy hospital in the Bronx, a Dr Mandl ponders the curiosity of fate as he performs life-saving surgery. Author Richard Brockman has a selection of healthy theatrical credits behind him, plus a wealth of medical knowledge, none of which appears to have been put to good use in this new play.

At best, there are a few informative moments, but much of the dialogue is melodramatic, with scenes often achieving unintentional hilarity. As such, the play might have benefited from imaginative direction or a heightened design concept, but sadly Mirra Bank’s direction lacks energy and Mark Friend’s design attempts a budget realism.

Will Chitty is mesmerising as Dr Mandl. Whether skipping rope, suturing a valve or fending off a transsexual prostitute, he manages to stay in character without laughing. The heaving bosom beneath the uniform is provided by feisty Susan Bracken, as Ellen. How Bracken manages to keep a straight face whilst crying out across the frenetic operating table, “But you’re playing God!”, I shall never know. Anton Stephans is the taxi driver who’s daughter’s life hangs in the balance and Charlie Holloway is Shirley, the transsexual who gives new urgency to the phrase ‘tart with a heart’. Brett Goldstein just about manages to kick up some real drama as a grieving father.

Modern audiences have been spoiled by the highest quality hospital television drama over the years on both sides of the Atlantic. Any attempt to bring it to the stage, under whatever pretext, needs a great deal more intellectual and creative flair than is present here.