Photo Coverage: Close Quarter Productions Presents The Heart Of Things by Giles Cole - Jermyn Street

The Heart of Things by Giles Cole runs at Jermyn Street Theatre from 10 March to 4 April. Nick Waring (The Three Musketeers, Hay Fever, The Trials of Oscar Wilde , Star Quality) plays the lead role of disillusioned English teacher, Peter Calder, and says it was the writing that drew him to the play. "The Heart of Things has many beautiful and delicate shades of grey", he says and then, with a laugh, adds, "but not 50. It's definitely got more than 50. At my stage of life, I understand it more than I care to admit. The play explores how to be happy through the disappointment of middle age".

Director Knight Mantell chimes in, "The play is beautifully and elegantly written and the dialogue is superb. It's a tour-de-force for all of the actors. I directed Giles Cole's previous play, The Art of Concealment, about the life of Terence Rattigan, which as it turns out was written in tandem with this one. And in a very real way this play also explores the art of concealment; that is, how much or how little people choose to reveal of themselves."

The Heart of Things is a play filled with delicious sub-text that takes the audience on a multi-layered ride filled with many unexpected turns. The fact that it's set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the last general election gives it an added potency, but it is in no way a political play. It's about a real family facing up to their own secrets, betrayals, alliances and ambitions. There's irony in the title and there's both humour and poignancy in the subject matter.

Nick Waring is joined in the cast by TV veteran Ralph Watson (Z Cars, Dr Who, Casualty, Reggie Perrin, To The Manor Born), Patience Tomlinson, Amy Rockson, Keith Parry and Ollo Clark. Design is by Joana Dias with lighting by Nic Farman and sound by Andrew Johnson. After its run at Jermyn Street The Heart of Things transfers to the Kenton Theatre in Henley-on-Thames.