By Adrian Mullen
JUDITH Notley makes a welcome return to the director’s chair for Jim Cartwright’s Two, in Kendal on September 8/9 and 14/15.
The highly-thought of thespian has put together a talented cast for the show, which takes a kaleidoscopic look at a northern pub and held together by the unfolding story of the landlord and landlady.
Last seen on the Lakeland stage as a dotty BBC producer in the hilarious Anne Pierson play Showing Well in 2006, Judith has given the play an extra dimension: “We have brought some of the characters mentioned in Jim Cartwright’s script to life,” explained Judith.
The production features a cast of 27 with real life husband wife team Dave Michelson and Elizabeth Eaton, as the landlord and landlady.
Dave mentioned that Judith has put a lot of added value into the play and said it was hard work but he was really enjoying it.
Elizabeth agreed, adding: “Having more layers to the play and the stories means it’s more challenging, but actually more interesting for an actor.”
BTC will transform the Kendal arts centre’s Malt Room into the Queen’s Head for the play with the audience seated cabaret-style around the room while the action goes on all around them and the landlord and landlady serving their regulars.
Two is sharp, funny and powerful with the characters stories weaving a tender portrait of how people live - and guaranteed to touch a few nerves, slowly unravelling the story of the landlady and landlord,and revealing that there is something wrong at the heart of their relationship.
Awash with beer and banter, the bittersweet tale promises to be one of the most engaging BTC shows for years with actors such as Simon Yaxley, Kate Vernon, Denis Bland, Lynne Gibbons, Rosie Wates, Nigel Banks, Suzie Brain, Benita Finch, and Jacqui Wallace in the acting line-up.
“It is a classic record of what goes on in that great British institution - the pub,” concluded Judith.
“Unpeeling layers of what goes on in people’s lives. More often funny, but sometimes sad.
Cartwright's first play, Road (1986) won a number of awards before being adapted for TV and broadcast by the BBC.
Probably best known for the film Little Voice, in 1989 Two landed the Lancashire-born dramatist with the Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best New Play.
Many of his works are now considered modern classics, and studied as a set text in schools and universities.
* Two runs at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal on four nights, September 8/9 and 14/15. Box office 01539-725133.
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