London Road, Sea Point

Portraying an unlikely relationship cutting across boundaries of age, race, religion and much more in a way that’s convincing and for the most part compelling, this two-hander from South Africa carries no shortage of warmth, intuition and truth. Not least in the performances of Ntombi Makhutshi and Robyn Scott, respectively as Nigerian illegal immigrant and white-collar drug dealer Stella, and her amiably prying elderly Jewish downstairs neighbour Rosa.

When Stella suffers an ominous break-in, Rosa offers accommodation and counsel, initially to a frostily guarded response that quickly softens into gratitude and eventually friendship. The two lonely women discover they have greater common ground than logic would suggest; from the pleasures of a stiff drink and playing Peeping Tom on residents of the adjacent apartment block, to, ultimately, the need for someone with which to share the burden of personal tragedy.

Scott, the years believably piled on with make-up, impresses, especially in portraying a loveable old dame with a strength of mind and character belying her tremblingly frail frame. The promise of some drama out of Stella’s pursuit by shady associates in the “import-export” business curiously doesn’t pay off; understandable, perhaps, considering this is at heart a subtler story about people living together harmoniously against the odds.

With that in mind, it’s little wonder London Road, Sea Point has been rapturously received at home. It won’t play with the same impact in Edinburgh, but it’s a well-realised and relentlessly good-natured show nonetheless, which will lift its fair share of spirits.