A theatrical revival of pub culture
First performed in 1989, Jim Cartwright’s play Two invites audiences into an evening at a classic British boozer, where two actors take on the roles of both landlord and landlady — and a whole cast of regulars, visitors, and late-night dreamers.
From the old woman whose only respite from caring for her bed-bound husband is a nightly drink at the pub, to Maudie and her philandering boyfriend Moth who can’t resist chatting up everyone else in sight, the pub plays a central role in the lives of these characters – whether full of potential or full of regret, united in love or trapped by circumstance, the shared space sits at the heart of their lives.
Cartwright wrote the play at a time when the steady loss of traditional British pubs was really taking hold. From the 60s to the 80s, the pub was the beating heart of countless local communities across Britain. Friends and neighbours would gather to socialise, debate, rant, flirt, laugh, and bond, but in the late 80s’ pub culture came under threat and the decline began. An estimated 69,000 British pubs operating in 1980 had reached 60,000
by 2000, and with the trend continuing and the damage of the pandemic, that number is now closer to 45,000 – a drop of 35%.
Greenwich Theatre’s new production is designed to celebrate these threatened third spaces where communities can unite. At a time when not only pubs but theatres, libraries, event spaces and more are also closing or at risk of closure, when we live under a government with no dedicated arts minister, when the uniting community force of local newspapers is being replaced by the isolating echo chambers of social media, when even parks and open spaces are at risk of development, now is the time to stand up and champion the importance of shared experience.
For this theatrical celebration, Greenwich Theatre is creating an immersive space – The Clock and Compass – at the heart of their historic building, welcoming audiences to buy a pint, play classic pub games and relive the experience of a 1980s pub, with the show unfolding around them.
James Haddrell, Artistic Director, says: “Jim Cartwright’s voice remains one of the most recognisable in British theatre, with shows like The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Road showcasing his unmistakably lyrical blend of poetry and the harsh realities of everyday life.
Two is a moving, comic picture of a classic British pub and those who pass through it, and the prospect of staging it in a new space specially created at the heart of our historic theatre is an exciting one for us, immersing the audience in the lives, the
struggles and the hopes of these unforgettable characters and celebrating the spaces that play a crucial role in holding communities together.”
There will be a Gin Tasting Masterclass in partnership with Greenwich Gin on selected dates during the run.
The Café-Bar, Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich, SE10 8ES from 21st August – 12th September. Tues-Thurs: 7pm Fri-Sat: 8:30pm Sunday: 5pm.
Admission: £22.50 (includes a drink voucher)
Booking and full details: greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/two/
