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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Two
Verdict: Inside pub lives
Edinburgh 05 - Venue 45 - 14:30 (1hr – 05min)
Two is drama about a married couple of pub landlords and their customers. There’s a cast of 9 (5F, 4M).
The landlord (Julian Brown) and landlady (Jayne Edwards) exist in an intense relationship of hatred. They’re trapped in the ownership of the pub where they met, had their 21st birthday parties, their wedding reception. Now they depend on it for their livelihoods.
An old woman (Grania Pickard) takes a break from looking after her terminally-ill husband. He’s left at home. She reflects on her marriage and life: ‘What the hell has it all been about? My life. My day.’
Randy Scouser Moth (Brett Walsh) leers at a pretty woman in the audience and chats her up. His girlfriend Maudie (Louise Hickey) interrupts, in a very (very) short skirt. She calls him ‘You Emperor of Snide’. He uses her for money, but Maudie has her own line in manipulation. His bad back results in a proposal.
The landlady reflects on her loveless bed.
An old man (Norry Leonard) in cloth cap thinks aloud. ‘They all think I’m quiet. There’s a very good reason for that – I’m having a very good time inside. With my wife. Oh, she’s dead.’ A cheerful, reflective man, a Scot, he recalls and relives happier times.
Mrs Iger (Katy Field) announces ‘I love big men’. Mr Iger (Brett Walsh) in spiv suit is her mousy, timorous husband who’s afraid of going to the bar.
Behind the bar, landlord and landlady talk outwards, while avoiding talking to each other.
Lesley (Grania Pickard), a small woman, goes to the lavatory. Her agressive man Roy (Norry Leonard) tells her not to look at men and checks her phone. He’s controlling her, paranoid.
Fred (Matthew Gratton) and Alice (Rachel Winfield) enjoy being fat, and watch TV. ‘It’s never been the same since Elvis died.’ Roy: ‘You’re fat and old, you.’ Alice: ‘You, too.’ ‘We’re close in our way.’ ‘Ay, close as we can get with this fat.’
It’s last orders.
A woman (Katy Field) comes to look at her man when he’s with his wife. She’s tarty, short skirt, pretty tresses. ‘That’s how it is, in flick and shadow land.’
The landlady talks to an unseen child, who leaves. She’s alone with her husband. The secret of their severe distress - and possible future - is revealed.
Two has a fairly static structure – a set of couples reflecting on their lives. Their stories don’t interlock - it’s a set of mini-stories, episodes. There are no searing insights into the human condition. It’s on the scale of humdrum: potentially no more – or less – interesting than a fly on the wall view of any suburban pub. The strength is its gentleness. There's an underlying big-heartedness and optimism about the writing that quietly warms the heart.
The play was written to be performed by two people (eg this review of an Edinburgh 04 production - Two). Director Chyla Young makes the decision here to give it a full cast, and that works very well. Her direction is lively, graceful, and perceptive. And it keeps the pace up – which the play needs. The performances are uniformly strong, and breathe life into the play.
Louise Hickey is outstanding as Maudie, a clever, deft and entertaining performance. Julian Brown and Jayne Edwards find the pathos, need, and latent love of the sparring bar couple. Katy Field provides a searing Mrs Iger and gives wistful insight to the heart-burnt mistress. Matthew Gratton and Rachel Winfield evoke the TV-absorbed couple with affection and dignity. Norry Leonard is gently moving as the old man, and full of boiling bottled menace as Roy. Grania Pickard evokes the despair of the old woman, and the frightened strength of Lesley. Brett Walsh stylishly gets inside scoundrel Moth and trodden-on Mr Iger.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Julian Brown - Landlord. Jayne Edwards - Landlady. Katy Field - Mrs Iger, Woman. Matthew Gratton - Fred. Louise Hickey - Maudie. Norry Leonard - Old Man, Roy. Grania Pickard - Old Woman, Lesley. Brett Walsh - Moth, Mr Iger. Rachel Winfield - Alice.
Company Credits: Writer - Jim Cartwright. Director - Chyla Young. Set Design - Stuart Jones. Lighting Design & Operation - Chris (Sputnik Enterprises). Original Music - Katy Field & Anthony Williams. Beer Mat & Cover Design - Brett Walsh. Website Design - Norry Leonard. Company - Crackerjack Theatre Company. Thanks To: R&S. Quarmby. University of Leeds. SF. Tony Mustoe Carpets. Nick Robbins. MA Chambers. Ken Pink. Totalair. Attack Electrical. Jane Dovey. Margaret Griffin. Anne Ashmore, Fred Ashmore. Watkins & Powis. Number Seven Restaurant. Anita Sargent. Derek Brandon. Jennifer Leonard, Norman Leonard. Vicki Leonard. Leeds University Union. Reid And Hickman. Rifina. Hymers School. Anne Powell (Hymers School). Alexander Windows. JMC Windows. Anne Powell (Much Marcle). Hilary Thompson, Ken Thompson. Andy Gage. Colin Abbey. Dave Trinder Motors. R&S Employees. Suzy Dix. Laura Wareham. Pete. Ian. Acorn Printing (Clive Horlor). Susan Daniels. Calvin Taylor. Anthony Lowe. Chris Broadwell. Beverley Memorial Hall.
END
John Park
reviewed Friday 12 August 05 / Venue 45
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
