The title of the play “Two 2” suggests that this production is a sequel to Jim Cartwright’s original – which it very much is. However, this second episode of the pub-based black comedy was written 27 years after the original. “Two” was very well received back in 1989, winning several awards and critical acclaim. It is therefore a little surprising that the second instalment took so long to arrive, this was its second run having previously been released in 2016.
The setting was the same pub, albeit things were looking a little more downtrodden than before – the pub scene being very different from the 80s and 90s. Pubs are now closing down and being turned into houses or car parks – something the landlord (Keith Hukin) in “Two 2” is desperate to avoid. He and his wife, The landlady (Blue Merrick) were at odds as to whether they should continue to struggle to keep the place open or accept the offer they have on the table from a developer – the landlady very much being in favour of selling up and cutting their losses.
Much like the first play, there are only 2 actors in “Two 2” but both played multiple characters. They play the main characters of the Landlord and Landlady but are then involved in some quick backstage changes to return as other characters that add context and interest to the play. An example of this is in the second half where we meet the karate instructor who was referenced by some sound effects in the first half – who then took to the stage to perform a very raw and emotional monologue about how his life may have turned out without the calming influence of the martial art.
The stage was very simple. There was a very tatty bar area with stools and chairs, with some small round tables that you might find in a public house that hasn’t been modernised for many years. For all the simplicity of the set, the focus of this production is on the characters and in particular the landlord and landlady as they continue to struggle with their own relationship. The pub has become a symbol of their lives and perhaps more important even than their marriage – something the landlady is very keen to address but the landlord is much happier burying his head into his work.
The night in question is what the landlord describes as his 'Gala Night in the pub' – there is karaoke, a quiz night and speed dating – as well as happy hours throughout the evening to tempt people into buying more drinks and staying for the whole night. The reality, however, was very different as very few people turned up for the entertainment and this was yet again another disaster in terms of taking money across the bar.
An often-referenced character throughout the play is the owner of a very successful drag act club just down the road. They often have queues of people trying to get in, with the landlady sometimes being one of those people as she has become very friendly with the owner. We did finally get to meet the owner, a vastly stereotypically-dressed drag act in full thigh-high boots, long trench coat and fruit-bearing hat and wig – during this act the landlady is offered a job in Spain where she could be appreciated for her talents and be free of the landlord and her dull life. This is a dilemma that troubled her throughout the rest of the play.
My favourite scene by quite a distance was the speed dating round where only one bloke turned up and three women, all of whom had vastly different personalities. These ranged from a very quiet, shy and reserved woman who you could take home to meet your parents, through to a very promiscuous character who was very clearly keen to take the relationship to a physical level very quickly. This led to a very funny exchange with a member of the audience who was trying to influence who our man chose as his date – Keith Hukin excelled during this exchange and made reference later in the scene to the same audience member which drew huge laughs around me.
“Two 2” is a very enjoyable play and whilst it doesn’t quite deliver the same entertainment as the original, there is still very much to be admired with Jim Cartwright’s work.
Reviewer - John Fish
on - 4/4/19
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