WITH a backdrop illuminated by vast Twitter feeds, constantly updated with chit-chat and gossip, Dear Evan Hansen begins with an unequivocal message: we are all connected. Living our lives online as much as in the physical world, this brave new existence can be a little disconcerting and its effect on our wellbeing is just beginning to be understood.

Enter Evan Hansen (Sam Tutty), a socially awkward teenager suffering with anxiety, whose therapist has advised him — though we’re never informed of the reasoning behind this — to write encouraging letters to himself at the beginning of each day.

Alas, things swiftly begin to unravel as his bullying classmate, Connor Murphy (Doug Colling), takes one of them and reads it aloud. This does no favours to Evan and his confidence.

At this point, the plot takes a sharp turn as Murphy commits suicide. His parents, discovering the letter, believe the warm-hearted missive to be a genuine one from Murphy to Evan and, since Murphy was an aloof and troubled child without any friends, they are eager to know more.

Thinking it won’t be such a big deal, Evan appeases their wishful thinking but things soon spiral out of control. With the help of a few acquaintances the letter soon begins to go viral and the touching story is picked up across the globe.

Enjoying popularity for the first time in his life, Evan gets swept up in a storm of social media attention. He begins to create new letters, and grows closer to Murphy’s sister. From then on, it’s not hard to imagine where this is all heading.

Will Evan manage to contain his fantasy and save his newfound popularity? Or will it all come crashing down? With strong performances from the leads and uplifting, if a little repetitive, songs, Dear Evan Hansen is a whirlwind ride through the agonies of youth in the age of the smartphone.

Runs at the Noel Coward Theatre until May 30, box office: noelcowardtheatre.co.uk