Two actors, 14 characters, one play

Monday 18 March 2019

One stage, two actors, and over a dozen characters... What could possibly go wrong?

Local dramatists Rhona Richards and Terry Butler will be taking to the Opera House Studio from 20 to 23 March in a "challenging" play that will see them play 14 different characters between them.

They'll be starring in Jim Cartwright’s ‘Two', which premiered at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton 30 years ago and is as famous for its wit and poetry, as it is for its reduced cast of two actors playing all characters, from the pub landlords to the regular...

“It’s funny and sad, and it will make you think,” says Rhona of the play. “It’s a microcosm of Northern life in a pub,” adds Terry.  It’s a true challenge for actors, but one that is as enjoyable as it is daunting, according to the pair.

Pictured: Terry Butler and Rhona Richards will play in 'Two' from 20 to 23 March at the Opera House studio.

"Each character is very different to each other,” explains Rhona. “They all have different ages, personalities and accents and you have very little time to switch between them.”

“Some characters melt into each other,” adds Terry. “You have to make it clear to the audience that you are playing a different character. You have to change your physicality, not just your costume.”

“It’s a challenge but it’s very fun,” continues Rhona. “It gets you out of your type. It’s a good chance to have fun and use everything in your acting, your voice, your physicality…"

“It’s very witty, which gives us problems in rehearsals,” Terry jumps in. “There is a deeper emotional thread running through it as well. It’s a split between witty and heart-breaking. It’s a constant flipping of roles and of emotions between different characters who all have their own idiosyncrasies. It’s a big challenge!”

Nikki Perchard, who is directing, says: “The fourteen characters represent a kaleidoscope of humanity and are played by just two actors. I love the way Cartwright writes. He has a distinctive way of revealing a character’s inner life with just a few words. There is nothing superfluous in his text.”

Rhona, a self-confessed Jim Cartwright fan, had wanted to do ‘Two’ for a long time and she set up Feisty Goat Theatre Company to do just that. “Jim Cartwright uses language to create characters that are recognisable,” Rhona says. “It’s incredibly poetic, it’s a gift to actors.” 

Having heard praise about Nikki, Rhona asked her to direct the play. “She studied psychology and education and is a lecturer in non-verbal communication. She knows a lot about movements and psychology, so she has a great insight in characters. I hadn’t worked with her, but I heard she was the best on the island.”

“She might make us look good!” jokes Terry. “She challenges us constantly to do things differently and not to revert to our type. It’s so much fun I’m glad I got asked.”

Terry and Rhona shouldn’t worry, according to Nikki, they are “extremely talented and open actors,” who have thrown themselves (at times quite literally) into their various roles. “As a director, it is my job to support and guide the actors as they explore, experiment and develop every facet of each character and the relationships between them. Two is a highly demanding play for any actor,” she explained.

“They have to be able to access deep emotions but with a light touch. Cartwright’s text is lyrical and poetical, so the actors have to find the rhythm in the words. There is comedy, too, so timing is another skill needed. And on top of all that, the actors have to find a physical identity for each character.”

With only a few days left before the first performance, the trio are hard at work rehearsing the 90-minute play, and are looking forward to curtain up. “It’s nice to give the people of Jersey a straight play,” Terry says. 

When asked if the performance will not be exhausting for them, the pair shrug their shoulders. “You take a deep breath,” Rhona says. “And make sure you go to the toilet!” Terry adds.  “You don’t have time to get tired,” Rhona continues. “You just keep going.” 

This article first appeared in Connect Magazine, which you can read by clicking here.