If you can only get to see one play this year, make sure it’s this one. Partington Players' production of Jim Cartwright's stark comedy/drama 'Two' will leave you spellbound.
Set in a pub ‘somewhere in the vicinity of Manchester’ the play was originally written for only two actors, but director David Wilson’s version has brought in many more to play the various roles.
As many as 19 in fact, to create a normal night at the back-street boozer where the customers who see it for whatever reason, as a kind of escape from reality.
Among them is a stag night party band of revellers, an elderly woman and man sitting alone with only a drink for company and a man called Moth who clearly thinks he is a magnet for any female.
And many, many more, all with a part to play, which they do to the audience’s delight.
The result is a laugh out loud and sometimes brush away tears production, as the pub’s landlord and landlady and their customers play out their reasons for being there.
The ending is one of the most powerful and emotional I can recall at the Henry Street theatre.
As the pub empties, a young boy rushes in looking for his dad who had left him outside with a bag of crisps while he goes in for a few pints.
The child brings back stark, tragic memories that the bickering licensees had long kept locked away, too painful to remember.
The shock results in a tear-jerking ending as raw emotions emerge.
Matthew Cox and Lizzie Mittler, who play the main roles, are magnificent as the behind the bar pair who have you laughing as they perfectly mirror the licensees of a typical back street pub.
Then share their tears in that dramatic final scene in the empty and darkened pub as they cling to each other for comfort.
‘Two’ is a highly watchable play you won’t want to miss and the talented Partington cast do it full justice.
Adrian Stokes is deliciously over the top in mannerisms and technique, as he tries to chat up women in the cast and the audience.
His impromptu dance with some of the stag night gang is certainly an eye-opener.
Then there are the performances by Jose Warhurst and Alan Kelly as the pensioners sitting alone each with a solitary drink, recalling their good days.
But then every member of the cast plays their part in making this last show of the season a huge hit, whether their role is big or small, or only non-speaking pub regulars.
Taking part in ‘Two’ are: Matthew Cox, Lizzie Mittler, Jose Warhurst, Adrian Stokes, Hope Davenport, Alan Kelly, Amy Skogen, Dave Quinn, Hayley Cox, Matt Knowles, Majella Graham, Sherry Stokes, George Pickup and Henry Cranston.
Tickets are selling well for the rest of the run which comes to a close on Saturday (1 July) - so book quickly.
‘Two’ and a short play called ‘Almost Perfect’, starring Hope Davenport, Freya Rowland, and Dan Coke, which opens the show, are a must see.
Booking details can be found here: https://partingtonplayers.org.uk/tickets/
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