It seems a long time since I have seen a new John Godber play. This Hull based playwright has been prolific over the years with such plays as Up’n’Under and Bouncers amongst the best know. The Next Best Thing is performed by a Hull Truck Theatre Company youth theatre affiliate and the twenty strong cast plus one adult relate the stories of young kids pressurised by parents and peers to achieve in areas that they don’t wish to dedicate their life too. I could not find any names for this  production which is a pity, and the run unfortunately is a short one, but all did well in their roles. It was well staged and directed and Mr Godber obviously knows to write an play with a message. ***