It is a testament to Alan Bennett's far-reaching impact that it seems impossible to use the word monologue without immediately citing Talking Heads. Bennett's benign shadow hangs over this series of soliloquies by Benedick West, presented daily as "lunchtime theatre".
All West's characters are grappling with loneliness. The problem with the format, however, is that each of them is allowed less than 10 minutes to let us in to rich, puzzling, meandering inner lives; the time allocated lends itself to sketchiness, even caricature, rather than measured portraiture.
Topping the bill is Prunella Scales, whose elderly Gertrude waits for a birthday phone call from her daughter. Scales once again astonishes with her ability to speak without ever seeming to pause for breath, although more silence would allow us better to appreciate the macabre domestic situation.
There's a promising debut from 12-year-old Jerusha West - who also would benefit from director Andrew Loudon making her stop and count to 10 occasionally - as a trusting young girl for whom parental neglect and internet chatrooms spell trouble. The brisk Felicity Duncan impresses as middle-aged Maureen, whose new "romance" sees her end up in court.
. Until 15 October (020 7226 1916).
Gertrude's Secret
King's Head, Islington
Upper Street, Islington, N1 1QN
