Simon Ward reviews TWO at the Greenwich Theatre

For this revival of Jim Cartwright’s 1989 play, the Greenwich Theatre has been transformed into a pub of that era, The Clock and Compass, with nostalgic soundtrack to match. This doubles as the theatre’s own bar before the show and at the interval, so there is the possibility for some confusion – as I found to my distress the Scampi Fries are strictly set dressing and are not available for purchase! Behind the bar in a pub, after all, is analogous to being on stage. Indeed, one of the play’s themes is how difficult it must be to live your life on display as a couple day after day, for hours on end. This setup does,however, risk issues with sightlines, as performers may be tucked among seats, but this was generally managed well, with lighting effectively deployed to direct our focus.

Originally set in Cartwright’s native Northern England, in this production it has been transplanted seamlessly to Greenwich. Under the skilled direction of James Haddrell, Peter Caulfield and Kellie Shirley rise brilliantly to the challenge of playing the pub’s landlord and landlady as well as a cavalcade of a dozen or so customers who pass through their doors over the course of a single night. They each bring depth, clarity and variety to the customer vignettes.

The piece is a sharply observed, often very funny slice of life as viewed through the weirdly distorting prism of the public house. A place ostensibly of celebration and enjoyment, but which can tip over into violence, cruelty and distress. A place where couples are formed, and sometimes un-formed. We see the pub as refuge and as hell-hole. We see all generations find a brief respite from difficult and challenging realities outside. But the pub itself can bring its own problems – getting served when the bar is knee-deep in punters is no job for the faint hearted, not to mention transporting drinks back without spillage.

When Cartwright was writing, and even more so today, there are endless stories of pubs closing down. In this beautiful paean to the quotidian pleasures of the pub, the playwright makes clear why he thinks they are essential. This one is very much at the heart of its local community, demonstrating its importance. It is an irreplaceable venue for everything from stag dos to karaoke nights. Everyone finds their way to it, and their stories weave their way into the bar staff’s lives as well – they are a shoulder to cry on, someone to share a joke with, someone who understands your problems.

The opening sequence, where drinks and banter are served in equal measure, is a wonderfully choreographed joy to behold. But it is clear that underneath the bonhomie is a simmering resentment between husband and wife, a boil that will have to be lanced, for better or worse, before the end of the evening. The pub is where everyone comes to let their hair down and let themselves go. But you can’t do that when you are running the place and have to keep order or risk losing your licence. When it does all finally come to a head, the impact is emotionally devastating, yet tentatively hopeful.

TWO is running at the Greenwich Theatre, Croom’s Hill, London SE10 8ES until Sunday 21st September