A SLICK YET TENDER BLACK COMEDY

The multi-talented Zach Braff writes and stars in All New People, a New York hit that made its West End debut at the Duke of York's Theatre. Braff is best known as the endearingly nerdy doctor JD of the popular hospital sitcom Scrubs and brings his trademark offbeat humour to the piece, yet it has a darker mood; the play's central theme of suicide and the comic way its handled means the production is firmly in the realm of black comedy.

Although the jokes are constant, poignancy gives balance, meaning moments of emotional connection feel earned rather than overly sentimental. Braff also writes and produces with precision and a keen eye for the little details; the intimate theatre setting is filled with the indie music soundtrack synonymous with Braff's works, and video is used at certain points to provide more context and character information.

WHAT IS ALL NEW PEOPLE ABOUT?

On a grey winter's day in his friend's summer home in Long Beach, New Jersey, Braff's lugubrious Charlie decides to hang himself. Just as he's about to do the deed, he's interrupted by the quintessentially English estate agent Emma. Saving his life, the perky yet neurotic Emma summons her friend, a drug- dealing fireman named Myron. The strange meeting of these random individuals is completed with the arrival of compassionate prostitute Kim. Together they try to convince Charlie that life is worth living, often with amusing results.