Humming in Harlem

There is something oddly seductive about this fairy-tale musical of black, mid-1950s New York by American poet and playwright Langston Hughes. What a far cry it is from the later manifestations of black power and gun culture.

Simply Heavenly catches the spirit of a black Harlem society prudishly repressed and financially stressed in one location and humming with energy in another. David Martin's score seductively sings the blues and hot gospel, in contrary moods of seductive vigour and anxiety.

The main, not very convincing narrative, in which young Jesse B Semple vainly tries to pay for his divorce and marry his chaste girlfriend, Joyce, keeps giving way to far more lively scenes in a Harlem bar.

In this friendly, lowish dive of high spirits and lower morals Clive Rowe's wonderful Melon, whose figure matches his fruity surname, simmers with frustrated hots for Ruby Turner's gorgeously louche Miss Mamie, a lady of proportions scarcely less generous than his.

The surprisingly delicate dance in which this couple engage and the joyful finale Let's Ball a While characterise the show's endearing high spirits. Hughes may too easily drive the precarious romance between Jesse and Joyce to the haven of a happy ending and marriage.

Yet he paints a vivid, bleakly unsentimental portrait of Harlem's hard times, with Jesse laid off from work, unable to pay for heat, his rent or bills and asking: "Why does a man know nothing good until it's too late?"

Unfortunately Rhashan Stone, who makes an uncharismatic Jesse, appears uncertain as to whether his character is seriously attracted to Nicola Hughes's magnificently vamping, propositioning Zarita or just too weak-willed to ignore her forceful personality.

Josette Bushell-Mingo's production, first seen and applauded at the Young Vic in 2003, revels in the musical's conflicting moods. Rob Howell's design cramps the main action over-much forestage, though Paul J Medford's exuberant choreographic routines, with Ruby Turner and Clive Rowe powerfully leading the ensemble song and dance routines, help maintain the mood of infectious pleasure.

Booking until 5 March. Information 0870 060 6632.

Simply Heavenly