TWO

The author of the play, Jim Cartwright, is probably best known for his play “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice”. He has received many awards for his work and this work “Two” was nominated for and won The Manchester Evening News Best Play Award.

The play is set during one evening in a typical backstreet pub. The main characters were the Landlord, (Simon Baker) and the Landlady, (Louise Grifferty) together with interruptions from various “regulars” during the course of the evening. Landlord and Landlady have a very rocky relationship and during the evening exchanged insults and criticism regarding their particular method of serving the drinks and behaviour with the regulars.

Having partaken of their usual tipple the “regulars” gave insights into their lives – some sad, some failed dreams, some of a mis-spent youth. When they left the pub to go home the Landlord and Landlady continued their banter and insults between each other.

The set was of a typical public house with a well-stocked bar, stools at the bar and tables and chairs around the set.  The lighting enhanced the “regulars” when they appeared and told of their lives. Good performances from “Maudie” and a very moving performance from “The Old Man”. Lots of disco music and all the pub favourites, Tom Jones, Elvis, Beatles etc.

Unusual for the Players on the night I attended there was not a full house, maybe because we were still in the middle of the holiday period. I found the play, although expertly produced and directed was not really a play for me.

 

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