Bouquet of charms

The earth may not move during Sweet Yam Kisses but romantics will find it hard to resist the charms of this sentimental bouquet.

The issue here is love, and the show, directed by Karena Johnson, is a response to how unusual it is to see black people in situations of intimacy onstage. An optimistic young man, Jay (Femi Oguns) and a cynical young woman, Vanessa (Amie Buhari) are working on a documentary about images of love, arguing the toss over whether it's possible for black people to find lasting happiness together.

Their debate is interspersed with video clips and scenes showing two thirtysomething professionals (Michael Rochester and Carol Moses) who pick each other up and begin dating, and an elderly couple (Blanche Williams and Marc Matthews) who met in the Caribbean and emigrated to England in 1965.

All of this sounds suspiciously like a college lecture but Courttia Newland and Pat Cumper's play somehow survives its contrivances (it's lathered in voiceovers and chunks of lecture) and created-to-order set-up. The show watches tenderly over its characters: it likes them and so do we.

Johnson's production supplies honest emotion as well as packaged uplift which works best when its tone is light and casual - a serenade to people reaching out to each other. The couples have a nice rhythm together and the deepest pleasure is in watching them talk about their courtships: their ordinariness isn't at all dreary. Adventurous art? No. Hopeful and feelgood entertainment? Yes.

Until Mar 11, Lyric Hammersmith, King Street W6, Mon to Sat 8pm, Mar 1 mat 3pm, £12, £7 concs, tonight all seats £7. Tel: 0870 050 0511. www.lyric.co.uk Tube: Hammersmith

Sweet Yam Kisses