Review: TWO (Greenwich Theatre)

Review by Daz Gale

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When it comes to an evening out, some of us love a night at the theatre while others love nothing more than a night at their local pub - one of them offers a community where everyone knows each other and the ins and outs as well as the ups and downs from every intimate detail of their life… and the other is a night at the pub. But what if you were to combine both of these very different activities. That’s where we find ourselves in Greenwich Theatre’s immersive revival of Jim Cartwright’s TWO, but would this rather unique and unconventional approach create a strong measure for success, or would the result be far too watered down and unsatisfying?

First performed in 1989, TWO takes place in a pub over the course of one evening. As the landlord and landlady serve the variety of regulars who pop in throughout the night, remarks made to each other suggest all is not well in their own relationship. With this night in question holding a special significance to the pair, unresolved issues from their past threaten to come to the surface as they attempt to move on from their pain.

While this production of TWO takes place at Greenwich Theatre, it doesn’t actually take place in their main theatre space. Instead, a space has been created at the heart of their historic building, transforming the space that was previously their cafe bar into an immersive experience, as you take your seat in a rather intimate pub called “The Clock and Compass”.

The words intimate and immersive may be overused when it comes to productions, and even on this very website. However, both are extremely fitting for this production of TWO. Not only is this pub space fairly cosy, with nothing more than several tables dotted around to seat the strictly limited 50 capacity audience, you also have to go up to the real working bar prior to the show to get a drink from the two cast members who will be entertaining you for the next ninety minutes. Anyone hoping for a review of how well the cast managed to pull a pint will be disappointed to learn I had a glass of wine instead.

During the experience, I felt like I had been transported into an episode of Eastenders, though thankfully nobody was murdered throughout the show. As the two cast members take on every character in the show, they weave in and out of the audience, interacting with them throughout and perching on the available seats. Where use of the term “immersive” may be tenuous when it comes to other shows, there is no doubting the immersive nature of this production where there really is nowhere to escape… in the very best way.

It is all skillfully done, perhaps more so than I thought was possible in such a tight space. Certainly bold and ambitious, it would be easy to get this wrong but great care has been taken in executing this vision, and the result pays off completely. Feeling rather authentic in its approach as the stories unravel and we learn more about the couple at the heart of the story, it provides beautiful escapism that can easily make you forget you’re actually watching a play as opposed to sitting in a pub. Crucially, however, it never becomes boring - and while you might find two people discussing the latest episode of ‘Escape To The Country’ at your local boozer, the conversation is always riveting and thrilling at this particular pub.

Taking on the roles of every character we meet in TWO, Kellie Shirley and Peter Caulfield deliver well-rounded and versatile performances that speaks volumes for both of their talents as actors, Between them, they have to portray a young child, an old woman and everything in between. One key sequence sees them take on a couple of punters where Caulfield portrays a controlling and abusive partner to Shirley’s victim - uncomfortable to watch, but brutally real and expertly handled. Not every situation was as dark, however, with plenty of comedy to be found in the 14 characters the two take on throughout.

It is the Landlord and Landlady that we keep coming back to. As these are the characters we see the most, we get to know them best of all, and so become invested in their story as we try to learn what has caused them to revisit these demons tonight of all nights. The dynamic between the pair veers from banter to bickering to something all the more serious, as the truth about their situation comes to the surface. It is in these two characters that Shirley and Caulfield truly shine, both delivering masterclass performances. Kellie Shirley in particular wowed as she took on some of the more emotive and trickier moments in the night, at one point delivering a scream that penetrated my very soul.

Though I had never seen a production of TWO before, I struggle to think of any way any other version could have been as perfectly suited as this. Transforming the small space in Greenwich Theatre was an inspired choice and one that has been executed flawlessly. Through clever choices, this is one of the more unique nights I’ve ever experienced in a theatre and one that will undoubtedly stay with me for a very long time. Bringing a whole new meaning to pub theatre, I really couldn’t get enough of this inspired production that made me wish last orders were never called.

TWO plays at Greenwich Theatre until 21st September. Tickets from https://greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/two/

Photos by Henry Roberts