Heart: A Poetic Play

Heart, a truly poetic new play, explores the maxim “Every new story begins as another one ends.” Written and performed by London-based actor and poet Jade Anouka (His Dark Materials), Heart introduces us to a woman who finds herself married and divorced at age 28. As she begins the process of piecing her life together, she confronts the insecurities and self-imposed boundaries that have always held her back. In the process, she discovers love in the last place – and with the last person – she expected. Directed by Ola Ince, this world premiere production – dedicated to the misfits and “others” – takes the audience on a powerful and relatable journey, one that demonstrates that remarkable things can happen when we follow our instincts and boldly take a chance.

“This is a story for all the misfits, all those who have ever felt ‘other.’” That's how Jane Anouka, the writer and performer of Heart, describes her show (and it's also a line from the show). The world premiere of Heart is going up at the Minetta Lane Theatre for five weeks only this summer. Get Heart tickets on TodayTix.

Heart is a play about all the things a heart can do — love, break, heal. Based on Anouka's real-life experiences, Heart centers on a woman who is married and divorced by the age of 28. Trying to rebuild her life forces her to confront the insecurities, boundaries, and limitations she's placed on herself, which she must overcome before she can love again. And she does find that love — in the most unexpected of places with the most unexpected of people.

Anouka began to write Heart in 2018, when she "spurted her heart onto a page." She has worked on the project for four years before bringing it to the stage. In the meantime, Anouka has built a career on stage and screen, with credits in His Dark Materials on HBO and multiple shows in London's West End.

Open your heart to this poetic, heartbreaking, and heartwarming story. Get tickets to Heart off Broadway on TodayTix now.

What to Watch For

• TV fans might recognize Anouka as Ruta Skadi in His Dark Materials. She played the role in the second season of the show.
• Heart is being produced by Audible Theater, which mounts plays that also get released for streaming to a larger audience as audio dramas. The Audible recording of Heart in New York will be released June 2.
• Heart is at the Minetta Lane Theatre, Audible Theater's go-to New York venue. The Minetta Lane previously hosted a revival of Long Day's Journey into Night starring real-life celebrity couple Elizabeth Marvel and Bill Camp.
• If you're a fan of London theatre, you might know Anouka! She's performed in tons of London productions, most recently Cock alongside Jonathan Bailey and Taron Egerton.
• Though she's had many performance credits, Heart marks Anouka's debut as a playwright!