Two (Manchester)
of 14 different personalities within the space of one play. And yet one double act
achieve it masterfully in the Royal Exchange’s latest production, Two.
Comedian Justin Moorhouse and actress Victoria Elliott work wonderfully as a
team, successfully capturing the essence of a local pub, with it’s externally
jovial landlord and landlady, and its many quirky regulars.
Throughout the course of the play, an
audience are introduced to the likes of ‘The Other Woman’ – the mistress whose
jealousy is taking over her world – Moth and Maudie – the couple with very
contrasting ideas of what constitutes love – and the Old Man – a pensioner
trapped in his own nostalgia. The two actors do an incredible job of switching
from one role to the next, adapting their characterisations with ease and making
each and every role as believable as the last. Elliot, in particular, is an
absolute joy to watch.
In the play’s description, Two is described as ‘hilariously funny,
savagely sad, wistful, surprising and magical’. For the most part, this is
entirely true. Cartwright’s script successfully thrusts the audience into a
whirlwind of emotion, making you laugh one second and allowing you to hear a pin
drop the next.
However, for anybody familiar with the playwright’s work, there
is not a significant ‘surprise’ factor. All the same Cartwright-esque
conventions remain -direct address, powerful monologues, sharp and witty
dialogue -and, as hoped for, each and every one captures the original script’s
meaning that behind the façade of many people’s appearance, there is always a
hidden hurt.
With plenty of laughs, some heartfelt
moments and impressive costume changes, it is more than a happy hour that you
are guaranteed after watching this fabulous show.
– Rebecca Cohen
