Review by Daz Gale
⭐️⭐️
When it comes to famous musicians, they don’t get more legendary than the partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The pair were responsible for a large majority of songs in The Beatles timeless catalogue over the years, but less is known of their relationship from the time the band split up and when John Lennon was killed in 1980. Two Of Us imagines what might have occurred when the pair met for the final time in 1976, but would this play be able to live up to the musical giants it portrays or would it let me down?
Based on Mark Stanfield’s 2000 television drama of the same name, Two Of Us is based on a real event on April 24th 1976 when Paul McCartney was visiting John Lennon in his New York apartment, as Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels offered the four members of The Beatles $3000 if they would reform to perform on the programme. While the actual conversations that occurred in Lennon’s apartment remain unknown, this play offers an imagined and dramatized version as the two former writing partners reconnect after some time apart in what would prove to be their final encounter together.
With two titans of music who remain as iconic today as they did during the height of Beatlemania, there is plenty of potential on offer here with no shortage of material to pick from. However, Two Of Us squanders this at every opportunity. Original writer Mark Stanfield has returned to co-write this world premiere stage adaptation, this time with a little help from his friends Richard Short and Barry Sloane. Having not seen the original drama, I can’t comment on the quality of the original writing and how this adaptation compares. All I can do is take this play on face value and comment on how flawed and problematic I found the writing here to be.
One of the problems Two Of Us faces is poor pacing. The tone is immediately set from an infuriating opening few minutes where nothing happens whatsoever, giving the show an incredibly dull beginning. This is a recurring problem throughout, making the play a hard day’s slog. The biggest problem with the writing, however, is how inadequate it can come across as. The dialogue never feels natural with all conversation feeling forced – the surface is barely scratched on any of the topics that are covered throughout, with a cringeworthy insertion of puns and terrible punchlines (which is rich coming from what I like to fill my reviews with, I know) at one point making me hold my head in my hands. With Paul McCartney at the top of the charts with his band 'Wings' and John Lennon a reclusive stay-at-home dad, there was much to explore in the idffering dynamics between them and the "odd couple" situation they found themselves in. Sadly, this was merely teased at, with a disappointing lack of exposition considering it was theirs for the taking.
Repeated referencing to nursery rhymes is an accurate comparison given how childish this dialogue can be with references to Mary having a little lamb, a response to Yoko being “Oh no” and a joke about Stevie Wonder not seeing John Lennon at a party setting the tone for how inexcusable the writing is. Attempts for homo-eroticism between Lennon and McCartney feel dangerously outdated, almost bordering on homophobia with their attempts to use “let’s be gay lol” as a punchline. I got the sense that the three writers behind this all had different ideas on what they wanted to do with the story, and the end result was a mess that did absolutely nothing instead
The direction is also extremely misguided throughout with prolonged pauses, poor transitions and a general lack of impact in the dialogue making the play fall flat throughout. It should be noted that the director could only do so much with the cards he was dealt and that being the unsalvageable writing. I should also clarify that I was invited to review a preview two days before press night and there is every chance that Two Of Us may have settled in by the time that night comes around. Unfortunately, I can only review what I saw, a play plagued with problems. In the programme, the director speaks about men not seeking help for mental health and the stereotype of displaying emotions being a weakness. It is incredibly admirable that was what the hope for this production was – however, at this moment, it has failed to convey this and definitely needs a bit more work to give that important message the gravitas it deserves.
One element that impressed was that of Amy Jane Cook’s design, with a gorgeously elaborate set representing John Lennon’s New York apartment elevating the quality of the play. Though, one surprise addition of a lift near the show’s climax did let this down somewhat, feeling wholly unnecessary and providing what was the lowest moment of the play with an unexpected and definitely unneeded dance sequence.
What stops Two Of Us being a complete disaster is the performances from its cast members. Though the writing remains problematic, Barry Sloane fares much better in his portrayal of John Lennon, knowing exactly how he wants this character to be seen and showcasing his strengths as a performer in doing so. Jay Johnson is equally good as Paul McCartney – though the similarities to the real people they are playing are neither here nor there, in terms of a character performance, they both do a fine job given the quality of the writing.
I was excited by the premise of Two Of Us but any potential this play has is yet to be met in a production that needs a serious amount of Help if it wants a future life. A bit more focus on the tone and development in the writing to stop it falling as flat could see an improvement, though there is also the prospect that maybe some stories don’t need to be told and they could have just let it be?
Two Of Us plays at Watford Palace Theatre until 21st September and HOME Manchester from 26th – 28th September. Tickets from http://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/
Photos by Ross Kernahan
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