One night down the pub. Fourteen very different characters. All portrayed by just two versatile actors: Two is an award-winning play by celebrated playwright Jim Cartwright and it’s coming to The Players Theatre, Thame for five nights from Tuesday 5th March.
The action takes place on a single evening in a typical Northern pub heaving with people. The play introduces us to fourteen of them, each with their own story and their own take on life, love, and the human condition.
Jim Cartwright paints each of these characters in vivid colours, so that we not only recognise but empathise with them as they play out their private lives, their hopes, fears, anguish and absurdity before us and for our entertainment.
All human life is there – from the hopeless bravado of a faded Jack-the-lad and his long-suffering girl to the touching affection of an unassuming widower and the relentless bickering of the irascible landlord and landlady, which masks a dark secret that only emerges in the gut-wrenching dénouement.
All fourteen of these incredibly diverse characters are brought to life in this dramatic white-knuckle ride by just two actors – Andy Dale and Jude Rogers (pictured) in Thame Players’ production – who succeed in portraying every character using a combination of talented acting and clever accessories - little touches such as a hat, a scarf, a tie, a jacket – imbuing each with their own personality and taking the audience with them.
Two has enjoyed enduring popularity since it was first performed in 1989, receiving the Manchester Evening News award for Best New Play, and enjoying several revivals and performances around the world since then. Directed by Phil Byrom for Thame Players, it delivers a fantastic evening’s entertainment. Phil comments, ‘I am delighted to be bringing Two to Thame. The characters are painted so vividly that the audience can identify with each and every one of them. The portrayal of these diverse characters is what makes the play so enticing, so intriguing, and keeps audiences coming back over and over again to this small but perfectly formed modern classic’.
Tickets are available from Spear Travels, Greyhound Walk; 01844 217228 or www.thameplayers.co.uk.
