Review: Two Halves of Guinness (Park Theatre)

Review by Justin Williams

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two Halves of Guinness arrives at Park Theatre as part of a UK tour marking 25 years since the death of Alec Guinness. Written by Mark Burgess and performed by Zeb Soanes, the piece explores a career that spanned stage and screen, while reflecting on Guinness’ own concern that he might be remembered for just one role: Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi.

This is one of those productions that feels simple at first, but slowly draws you in until you realise you have been completely absorbed for two hours. Burgess’ writing is deft and considered, balancing celebration with reflection. Alongside the highlights of Guinness’ career, the script dwells on paths not taken, questioning whether missed opportunities came down to circumstance, ego, or a deeper search for identity. That uncertainty gives the piece a welcome honesty, avoiding the comfort of pure admiration.

The stage is made up of a tea chest, a costume screen, a stool and a trunk, all initially covered. As the story unfolds, these coverings are pulled away, sending small plumes of dust into the air, as if the memories have been lying dormant, waiting to be disturbed. It is a simple idea, but a really effective one.

Zeb Soanes delivers something really special in his performance as Alec Guiness, and the many figures who helped shape his career. Soanes moves through a lifetime of people, from actors and producers to fleeting figures, and somehow makes each one feel distinct. A small shift in voice or a change in posture is enough. At times, it genuinely feels like watching a cast of dozens. Crucially, he never loses sight of Guinness at the centre, so these encounters feel like part of an ongoing conversation rather than momentary detours. This is particularly evident in the beautifully handled scenes with figures such as John Gielgud, which are lightly drawn and precise, never slipping into impression. They feel like memories rather than performances, which makes them land more truthfully.

What stayed with me most was how he controlls the room. There are moments where the pace quickens and pulls you forward, then moments where everything slows and the silence takes over. You find yourself leaning in, thinking with him, almost breathing in time with the performance. It is rare to feel so completely held by a single actor for that length of time.

That intimacy is reinforced by how the production uses the Park Theatre itself. Rather than disguising the venue, it leans into its structure. The exposed brick and open space allow the room to breathe, making it feel larger and more atmospheric. At times it is easy to forget you are in a modern venue at all, but rather stepping into a world better suited to the story being told.

Director Selina Cadell keeps everything focused and restrained, which allows the performance and the writing to do the work, and Lee Newby’s set and costume design follows the same philosophy. A large, pleated theatrical cloth hangs at an angle, its tabs tied across a bar above, placing us somewhere between backstage and an empty stage, as if we have been invited into a more private, unseen space.

Michael Fox’s lighting supports this with care. Warmer moments feel soft and reflective, while cooler ones sharpen the focus and draw you closer to Soanes. I found those cooler moments particularly striking as they seemed to pull everything into a tighter, more concentrated space. Eliza Thompson’s clever sound design adds further depth, guiding us through shifts in place and emotion, with music used at key moments to underline the weight of what is being shared.

The evening moves quickly and never loses its grip. There is a strong sense of intimacy, like sitting in the corner of a pub or a quiet room listening to someone tell their story. At times it brings to mind The Woman in Black, with that same feeling of a story that needs to be told and silences that draw you in rather than push you away. Two Halves of Guinness is not a show built on spectacle, and it doesn’t need to be. It relies on precision, control and trust in the audience. That trust is well placed.

Two Halves of Guinness plays at the Park Theatre until 2nd May. Tickets from https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/two-halves-of-guinness/

Photos by Danny Kaan