Simply heaven sent

This bewitching gospel and blues musical, which premiered in New York nearly 50 years ago, seduces you almost at first sight and sound. For Simply Heavenly is a musical that engages heart, mind and feet in one dramatic swoop.

The songs run a gamut of emotion from the desolate to the jubilant with music by David Martin that seethes with energy and vigour. And the romantic plot, which reaches a climax of wishfulfilment after much flirting and yearning, is tempered by wry and sardonic elements. For the amusing book and lyrics by the far-Left , black writer, Langston Hughes, give you a powerful impression of the hardships of life in Harlem during the 1950s when poverty ruled that roost.

Simply Heavenly whisks you back to an age of almostinnocence, with no sex before marriage for the two would-be lovers who visit each other in rented rooms.

Harlem is the black world where it all happens: Rob Howell's brilliantly imagined setdesign marries domestic and public scenes in a single scenic picture. Between the Harlem bar counter and its silvery, mirror-like back wall is a raised stage-area where there regularly appears, at opposite ends, single beds for the long-term romancers. A pianist, saxophonist and a third musician form a tiny, exuberant band, sidestage.

Rhashan Stone's rather cold and charmless Jesse B Semple cannot afford a divorce from his long-lost wife. So, Cat Simmons's prim, sweet, soulfully singing Joyce is determined he will have no joy of her until a marriage-ring goes on her finger. The plot-lines - which are too slight and spasmodic - lead Jesse into mild temptation and comically close to disaster with Nicola Hughes in strutting, sizzling form, a gold dress and black wig as Zarita, the bar-room vamp.

In Josette Bushell-Mingo's finely drilled production, the musical oscillates alluringly between the bitter and the sweet. Hughes stresses but does not belabour the economic precariousness of these black lives: Jesse temporarily loses his job and his girl, freezing in his rented room.

But the barroom fills with gay banter, with the weight and terrific, big, gospel voices of Clive Rowe's Melon and Ruby Turner's Miss Mamie who refuses his hand and more. With what zippy, heart-felt enthusiasm they all sing up a storm and dance away their blues. A real hit musical.

Box office: 020 7928 6363. Until 12 April.

Simply Heavenly