Two

"Two" by Jim Cartwright is a play set in a Northern English pub, focusing on the relationships between its various patrons and the pub's landlord and landlady, and, as the title suggests, all 14 characters are played by two actors. It is a very clever script and brings out various emotions from the characters and indeed the audience alike.

The set of the pub was well constructed, and it made me think back to my early days of visiting various locals where the emphasis was on drink and conversation not food and mobile phones. We were introduced to the Landlady and Landlord played by Natalie Whittlesey and Greg Yates and soon realised that there was a tense relationship there without yet knowing the cause of the tension, later finding out that it was due to a family tragedy. As the play developed, Natalie and Greg appeared as various customers in the pub, bringing out emotions of love, loss and other hidden truths. Every character was so believable, accents never faltered, and you would forget that these actors had portrayed someone completely different just minutes before. This was a display of great experience and self-belief in their ability.  They seemed so comfortable in conversation with each other and also performing a monologue to the audience, a great sense of timing, knowing when to deliver and when to make use of a dramatic pause was so effective.  Natalie was making her debut with the Players, and Greg, a welcomed return after a long absence, I certainly hope that I get to see both of them again in the very near future.

With a play like this, the lighting can make or break the atmosphere and Lewis Stanley on Lighting and Sound did an excellent job. The changes from scene to scene were spot on and all sound effects happened at exactly the right time!

A final mention must go to Sue Barker who directed the play, there was obvious clear instruction given to the actors and an excellent us of all parts of the set, congratulations Sue on a first class production by Lichfield Players.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.