Every aspiring dramatist writes about the pains of youth. While there is much to admire in 22-year-old David Watson's second work, co-produced by the Bush and Out of Joint, after 100 minutes I'd learned more about the symptoms than the root cause of his hero's malaise.
Admittedly 18-year-old Jonathan has a lot to contend with. His academic father has decamped and his social-worker mum is absorbed in her professional problems. As a result, while doing A-levels, Jonathan has to act as surrogate parent to brother Daniel who has Down's syndrome. On top of this, he falls foul of his tough-guy chum, Joe, by refusing to aid and abet his life of crime and then by absconding with his girl.
Circumstances alone, however, don't explain Jonathan's moody alienation: you feel there's a missing ingredient on which Watson doesn't put his finger. But any potential self-pity is offset by Watson's quirky humour and sharp eye for inter-generational awkwardness. Watson also writes perceptively about fraternal love-hate. The scenes between Jonathan and his demanding brother are superbly played by Cary Cranston and Scott Swadkins. Naomi Jones's production also contains good performances from Jason Maza as the hard-man friend and Ashley Madekwe as the girl who comes between them. Even if the play never fully articulates the hero's angst and comes to a forcedly optimistic conclusion, it has enough to convince Watson has a bright future.
· Until October 6. Box office: 020-7610 4224. Then touring.
