Miss Myrtle’s Garden at the Bush Theatre review: a sweet, old-fashioned meditation on secrets and affection

As a friend of mine said, “Miss Myrtle’s Garden at the Bush” sounds like a lewd euphemism or at least a sexually louche club night. In fact, Danny James King’s play proves to be a sweet, old-fashioned meditation on secrets, affection and declining economic expectations across the generations of a London Jamaican clan.

It’s led by a wintrily funny performance from Diveen Henry as the beady, disapproving Myrtle and directed with brisk economy (and an occasionally startling electronic soundscape) by the Bush’s incoming artistic director, Taio Lawson. It’s not particularly original or exciting but suffused with a gentle wit and empathy for all its characters.