Class anxieties laid bare

All the anxieties of our modern, progressive middle class are probed, laid bare and finally justified, in this glorious revival of JB Priestley's wonderful old play.

The Linden Tree was first performed in London in 1947, a year after An Inspector Calls, and could almost be the gentler twin of that venerable, socially conscious piece. There, an engagement party is the focus for bitter class recrimination.

Here, the centre of the action is birthday boy Professor Linden, a history don who revels in his position as teacher to the new breed of working-class students. Yet at 65, he has reached retirement age, and his wife is tired of eating cake in the provinces.

His choice is to escape to wealthy old age or remain unwanted at his post. Around him, his family debate this and wider issues. They speak like forces of history, strident and unsparing. Communist Jean is all science and change, Catholic Marion conservatism and spirituality, and playboy Rex cynical individualism.

Director Christopher Morahan's cast is alive to every complexity in Priestley's humane, intelligent text, imbuing the social comment with personality and tempering every forthright opinion with familial love.

The professor mediates, full of confidence in the slow revolution that Attlee is perpetuating outside their door, and his role in it.

Oliver Ford Davies is wonderful in the role. His speech is kind and his eyes bright with idealism, but as he preaches tolerance and social engagement to his erring family, his jowelly features betray a slow-burning sadness.

For this is a play about the sacrifices of taking responsibility for society. As the family abandon their father for their various castles of privilege, there is a heroism in his refusal to follow suit that is touching and inspiring in equal measure.

Until 25 March (020 8940 3633).

The Linden Tree