Difference between revisions of "Two (2024)"

Latest revision as of 14:07, 22 June 2024

Poster by Daz Aldridge

by Jim Cartwright

Directed by Jess Osorio

Performances: Tuesday 28 May – Saturday 1 June 2024, Old Fire Station

Introduction

Laughter, love, loss and reconciliation. Two is set in 1989, in a northern pub over one evening, providing a snapshot view of the lives of the bickering landlord and landlady and their customers. The play consists of 14 scenes combining humour, sadness and anger as the regulars pass through the pub. All 14 characters are played by the two actors.

As an audience you'll experience the highs and lows of life - Moth and Maudie, Fred and Alice (who have never got over the death of Elvis), the Old Man and the Old Woman: one of who misses their partner every day, and the other cares for theirs whilst looking for the small joys in their routine. Their characters are linked by the pub, as well as the daily challenges of life.

We hope you'll laugh, cry and stay for a pint of Drambuie afterwards.

"A sharp, salty, quickfire evocation of the surface gaiety and underlying melancholia of English pub life." (Michael Billington, The Guardian)

"Riveting ... more laughs, tears and hopes than you should really expect." Sunday Telegraph

Winner of the Manchester Evening News Best Play award 1989

Cast

• Landlord, Moth, Old Man, Mr Iger, Roy, Fred and Boy - Chris Bennett
• Landlady, Old Woman, Maudie, Mrs Iger, Lesley, Alice and Woman - Polly Sands

Crew

• Assistant Director - Charlotte Mansergh
• Stage Manager - Kay George
• Assistant Stage Manager - Rebecca Thackray
• Lighting Operator and Sound Operator - Rachael Lovegrove
• Lighting Designer - Anna Callender
• Sound Designer - Dean Moore
• Set Designer - Stephen Hayward
• Costume and Props - Jenny Bennett, Martha Bennett, Charlotte Mansergh, Zoe Callender, Sophie Callender and cast and crew.
• Production photographs - Phil Gammon
• Rigging and Set Construction - Dennis Fenton, Randy Brown, Bob Callender, Zoe Callender, Sean Thomas, Stephen Hayward and cast and crew.

Special thanks to Bar, Front of House, The Liar cast and crew, Jenny Bennett and Martha Bennett, John Boqwana Page, The Rosendale, The Bricklayers Arms.

Preview from the SLT Website

The following preview by director Jess Osorio was published at South London Theatre on 08 May 2024:

What inspired you to direct this play?

I chose it for various reasons. I was involved as stage manager when it was last staged at SLT and it was always in the back of my mind as one to come back to. It runs the full gamut of emotions while giving us a glimpse into the lives of the landlord, landlady and the customers who pass through the pub over an evening. It challenges the actors as they have to play seven different characters each, transitioning quickly from one to the next, and they need to find a connection with each.

Who are the characters we'll meet in the pub?

The key protagonists are the Landlord and Landlady. We also meet Old Man, who has lost his wife but never forgotten her; Old Woman, who is caring for her aging husband and finds joy in the mundane; Moth & Maudie, a young unmarried couple; Fred and Alice; Roy & Lesley, Mr & Mrs, Iger who somehow stay together despite their differences; and Boy & Woman.

What the challenges and opportunities do you associate with directing actors playing multiple parts?

Supporting them to find a connection or way in to each character and facilitate the transitions and changes. We also have to ensure the audience will know which character is which and join the actor on each individual journey; hopefully having some empathy or understanding, even for those who are not entirely likeable.

What do you hope the audience will take away from the production?

I hope they will laugh and cry with the characters, and see there can be love and affection despite the experiences life throws at us. And for those who remember the traditional English boozer and the music of the 80s, a trip down memory lane.

Can you sum up the play in three words?

Tough, Hopeful, Reflective.

Reviews

"An evening at the pub....meeting all the locals, the odd couple, the lost boy, the bully, the wedding party, and all served by the married patrons....but all characters played by the two actors, Chris Bennett and Polly Sands who were wonderful. The best thing i've seen there this year. The South London Theatre is a marvelous place." An anonymous reviewer (received following the performance on 30 May.)

"Big congrats to Jessica Osorio, Chris Bennett, Polly Sands and the many others involved with the current show, Jim Cartright's Two. The actors convincingly portrayed a wide range of characters (7 each) and emotions, veering from comedic moments suddenly interspersed with hard-hitting and shocking ones. Chris and Polly established a believable rapport through their different relationships and the overall effect was definitely unsettling. Highly recommended - hope the remaining tickets get snapped up quickly." Helen Jones

"Well said, Helen. Really enjoyed the evening down the pub!" Christine Theophilus

"Many congratulations to Jessica Osorio and her cast and crew on their performance of Two. Excellent performances from Chris and Polly and a great set, soundtrack and lighting - they deserve bigger audiences so #BEAD and support this super two-hander." Cal Beckett

"Loved the show the other night, superb performances that made me homesick for both Bolton and my favourite theatre. Thanks to all who made my visit possible xx. Ruth Huggett

"Go and see Two! It's really really good. Two fabulous, funny and moving performances take you through the evening and they smash it. Get a ticket if you can x" Greg

"Sit in the front row!!!!" Lily Ann

Gallery

See production photographs here

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

See Also

• Two (2004) The 2024 version took place almost 20 years to the week since the previous production. The stage manager in 2004 was Jess Osorio.

References

External Links

• This play on the web