The Two Character Play at Hampstead Theatre

Fellow actors, and brother and sister, Felice and Clare have been on tour far too long. Abandoned by the rest of their troupe, all that’s left is each other, an empty stage and an expectant audience. They will have to adapt accordingly and perform the only appropriate work in their repertoire: The Two Character Play…

One of Tennessee Williams later plays it seems fitting that The Two-Character Play is one of Hampstead Theatre’s first shows post covid-19 lockdown, given that the play originally premiered here in 1967.  It was in fact the only of Williams plays to premiere outside of the USA.  So what has made this play such a draw in modern times?  Thankfully this production makes it clear.

The simultaneous ease and unease of the sibling relationship in this play, both in the performance and the play within a play, is often said to be reminiscent of Wiliams feelings towards his own sister, who struggled with mental health issues and was institutionalised in her 20’s.  That push and pull family dynamic of wanting a sibling close to you while similarly wanting space from them, especially if they are all you have, is forever present in this play.

This performance is wonderfully performed by the two actors and as they move between characters.  The audience finds themselves waiting for the breaks in character during the play-within-a-play as they often result in moments of genuine humor.  The play within the play is purposefully erratic and yet as the play progresses you can’t help being drawn into it, falling into the tension, and wanting to know the outcome of a play you know from the start is doomed to remain forever unfinished.

This multimedia performance uses projection to look back into the characters’ pasts in an artistic way that fits smoothly within the performance.  The live camera feed allows for close-ups on the actor’s faces not often seen in theatre which added a really interesting dynamic to the performance and a film-like quality.

THE Complex relationship between the characters is the real draw, it is complex, subtle, and sadly relatable for many.  It’s a relationship that seems doomed and yet must carry on.

Tension builds as the worlds blur in The Two Character Play, now on at the Hampstead Theatre until the 28th of August.   Tickets start from £18 and can be purchased from the Hampstead Theatre website.

Tickets we’re gifted for review all words and opinions are my own