Pathos, Humour and Emotion at Winter Production
The Drama department pulled no punches in the winter production this year with a powerful performance of Jim Cartwright’s bittersweet dark comedy Two. The play was presented over two evenings to a Beardwood theatre packed with a rapt audience of fellow pupils, parents and staff at both productions.
Performed by pupils from Years 10-12, the play is a sharp and touching observation of the human condition, explored through bickering husband and wife as a series of punters come in and out of their pub throughout a single evening. While Cartwright’s intention was that all 14 characters are played by just two actors, the Colfe’s production gave a larger cast of students the opportunity to perform, with a series of vignettes of duologues and monologues each skilfully combining pathos and humour.
The talented cast was led by Year 12’s Charlie and Will as the couple whose own dark tragedy is revealed as events take shape throughout the evening, and who eventually find a fragile reconciliation. The production was supported by a crew of technicians from Years 10-12, with a set that authentically replicated a traditional 1980s pub, decorated for Christmas and complete with tables, bar stools, optics and even packets of pork scratchings.
Along with Two, award-winning playwright Jim Cartwright’s other works are consistently performed around the world and have been translated into 20 languages, and include Road and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, on which the film Little Voice was based.
Director of Drama Natalie Maher said, “The cast and crew of Two were magnificent and gave so much effort, time and energy to this production. I could not be prouder of their efforts – what an incredibly talented bunch. They tackled some really mature subject matter so sensitively- we had laughter and we had tears (all on stage!). Thank you to the staff who helped out backstage and front of house, and I’d also like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful creative costume and prop-making team, and the entire Drama department who have worked their magic once again.”
