Written by Jim
Cartwright
Directed by Mark
Kilmurry
Ensemble Theatre Production
The Q Theatre,
Queanbeyan to 6 April
Reviewed by Len Power
4 April 2019
Jim Cartwright’s play, ‘Two’, was first staged in England in
1989. The Ensemble Theatre’s production
is set in a pub in regional New South Wales in that same year.
A middle-aged landlord and landlady couple who met as
children outside the pub, were engaged in the pub, had their wedding reception
in the pub, and eventually bought the pub have served every type of person over
the years. They both put on a sunny face
welcoming their patrons but behind that mask there is a deeply troubled
relationship.
A clever concept for a play, ‘Two’ transfers easily to an
Australian setting. The characters are
all recognizable local types. Some are
very funny in their eccentricities and some have rather sad lives.
 |
| Brain Meegan and Katie Raison |
The play has only two performers who play the pub owners as
well as the multitude of characters who drink there. Actors, Brian Meegan and Katie Raison, give
convincing performances in all the roles with only minimal changes of costume. Their comic timing is excellent and they play
the characters for real, not as caricatures.
Even the characters who appear for only a short time are given strongly
etched performances by the cast.
Director, Mark Kilmurry, has obtained in depth performances
from his actors and has staged the show very well. The actors need to make many quick costume
changes and the director has made this seem effortless. The show’s pace suits the relaxed atmosphere
of a pub and having the characters mime the pouring of drinks and sipping from
glasses worked fine.
The pub set design by Alicia Clements is attractive and her
costumes suit the fashions of the time and give us immediate clues to the type
of characters we’re meeting. Lighting
design by Matthew Marshall and sound design by Neil McLean add the right
atmosphere to the play.
In the foyer afterwards, comparing which characters they enjoyed
most, audience members showed how engaged they were by this entertaining play.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 5 April 2019.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.