Drama turns to mush

Jeff Baron's two-hander suffers from incurable niceness. As part of his community service for reckless driving, city executive Ross is ordered to visit the ornery Jewish widower he almost mowed over.

Here's what the story boils down to: Ross calls on Mr Green, taking him some hot soup; Ross brings Mr Green more soup and cleans his flat; Ross gives Mr Green yet another bowl of soup and comes out as gay, allowing them both to open up and overcome their prejudices.

Visiting Mr Green sets about winning over the audience in much the same way as Ross ingratiates himself with the old man: it doesn't let up for a minute. The gist of the piece - that it's OK for good Jewish boys to be homosexual - makes Harvey Fierstein's 1979 Torch Song Trilogy seem daring and Martin Sherman's Bent positively revolutionary.

Don't get me wrong, this show is as likable as it is irritating. John-Jackson Almond's production is solid and Brian Greene is perfectly cast as the impossible codger, his performance

Until Apr 3, New End Theatre, 27 New End NW3, Tue to Sat 7.30pm, Sat and Sun mats 3.30pm, £17.50, £13.50 concs. Tel: 0870 033 2733. Tube: Hampstead

Visiting Mr Green