Review: TWO

📍 Greenwich Theatre

🗓️ 30th August 2025

🎟️ PR Invite

Set in a typical British pub, Jim Cartwright’s TWO explores the role of the local in community life.

This production transforms the theatre’s own bar into The Clock and Compass, with the entire 90-minute play performed in the space. It’s an immersive setup that places you right in the middle of the story as it unfolds. The closeness makes it feel less like theatre and more like spending an evening in your local alongside the regulars.

With just two actors – Kellie Shirley and Peter Caulfield – playing not only the landlord and landlady but an entire cast of pub regulars, the play never loses momentum. The speed at which they shifted between characters was seamless, keeping the energy high and the audience engaged.

Every person who walks through the door brings their own story – some funny, some devastating – touching on themes of love, loneliness and loss. One moment that stood out involved an abusive relationship – you could hear a pin drop. It was uncomfortable and powerful, and in such an intimate space it almost felt like you were witnessing it unfold in real life.

Although much of the focus is on the pub regulars, it’s clear that the landlord and landlady have troubles of their own bubbling beneath the surface. This past pain rears its head near the end, adding another layer of emotional depth that both Kellie and Peter played with real emotion.

The use of space was fantastic. I’d expected most of the action to stay behind the bar, but scenes took place all around the room, with characters appearing from different corners and barely a pause between each. The quick changes were impressive, and some audience interaction added to the immersive feel.

The only drawback was that, depending on where a scene played out, it could occasionally be tricky to see – especially one moment that happened just out of view from my seat. But this was minor, and overall the staging was clever and worked really well.

An intimate, powerful production that makes you feel part of the story from start to finish. TWO runs at Greenwich Theatre until Sep 12th 2025.