Mesmer

What Raine does do, very successfully, is interweave narrative strands. For a time we follow Vashti, a urology registrar, whose autocratic manner softens when she faces a choice between advancing her career or saving the life of a surgically maltreated aunt. We also get to know Emily, a new senior house officer, who learns the dangers of investing too much care in individual patients. We also see how a cardiologist copes with a lymphoma on his neck, how surgeons have to break the news to patients whose cancer is terminal, and how the private lives of staff are the victims of a punishing work schedule.

Played on a wide traverse stage, Raine's own production excellently conveys the hyperactivity of a hospital. Out of the swirling action, a number of performances register strongly. Thusitha Jayasundera captures Vashti's transition from operating theatre bully to outraged opponent of incompetence. Ruth Everett as Emily shows how a sensitive newcomer is forced to adopt a carapace to survive. And Adam James as a stoic cardiologist and Pip Carter as a surly house surgeon quietly impress. But a play resembles a hospital in that individual ambition has to be subsumed into a team ethic, and this is essentially a well-drilled ensemble piece.