Ahead of the debut of Two at Park Theatre, star Kellie Shirley speaks to The Theatre Playbook about reprising her role in Jim Cartwright’s play following its Greenwich Theatre debut in 2025 and playing multiple characters alongside co-star Peter Caulfield.
When writer Jim Cartwright brings Two to Park Theatre this April, Peter Caulfield and Kellie Shirley will reunite on stage to reprise the roles they performed when the funny and emotional drama was first staged at Greenwich Theatre in 2025.
Two follows a host of characters in a working-class pub over the course of a single night, as audiences are transported to local pub The Clock and Compass, where the landlord and landlady serve a variety of regulars. In a tense reflection on community and relationships, the audience become the punters and the theatre is transformed into a bustling pub.
Throughout the show, which is directed by James Haddrell, Caulfield and Shirley take on a variety of roles, from an elderly woman to a young boy, mirroring the central couple’s reckoning with their unspoken troubles.
Here, Shirley speaks to The Theatre Playbook about returning to Two, its themes of community and relationships and playing so many characters.
What can you tell us about the landlord and landlady we meet in The Clock & Compass?
They’ve been together forever, they always wanted to buy the pub (since they were kids) and we meet them 20 years in… There’s an undercurrent between them that’s intriguing.
How does the story explore the show’s themes of community and relationships?
Pubs are all about community, like post offices, banks, theatres and libraries (that unfortunately seem to shutting down everywhere, up and down the country!). We need to keep these fantastic places alive. Human connection is essential. The pub is the working man’s theatre after all. The play is a love letter to the public house and the people who drink within the walls.
Why did you want to bring the show to Park Theatre after starring in its Greenwich Theatre run in 2025?
We only had a three-week run at Greenwich Theatre, which was then extended to four as it was so popular! The play is a beast to learn and a bit of an actors showcase (we play 14 characters between us) so when the Park offered us the chance of an extension, we bit their hand off! Pete (Caulfield), James (director) and I are mad about this play! What it says about British culture and the writing is to die for.
Going back to the beginning, what were your thoughts when you first read the script?
Where do I sign?!
How do you prep to play so many characters?
Watching people, going to actual pubs – drawing on the past!
Do you have a favourite character to play?
I genuinely love them all. We both do.
How do you enjoy being on stage compared to filming for the screen?
They’re so different disciplines but you get a ‘clap’ at the end of a theatre show, which is nice for the ego!
Can you compare the process behind playing one character for a long time on a show like EastEnders to playing multiple characters in just 90 minutes?
It’s definitely a different experience to only playing one character for years to the repetition of a theatre show – finding new things every night is lovely, whereas TV is more gut instinct I suppose. I love them both for different reasons.
Did you audition for the role – and how did you partner with Pete Caulfield? Was there a chemistry read, for example?
I’ve worked with James on Jez Butterworth’s Parlour Song. A couple of people kindly recommended me for that and then Two was almost directly after it. James asked if I knew the play and was I interested? I’ve worked Pete on National Theatre hit comedy One Man Two Guvs. We became firm friends. I saw him in the play F***ing Men last year, where he played several roles (beautifully!) so I suggested Pete to James. He’d be perfect. James saw his showreel and knew straight away too he could nail it.
How do you work with director James Haddrell, in prep and during the run?
James has a lot on his plate with being artistic director or GT and being a parent too. So we’re on the same page with work/life balances! He’s a thinker – a delicate director – and gives you great questions to mull over and let’s you discover stuff yourself. It’s a real collaboration – I really enjoy working with him.
How has the show evolved from its run at Greenwich Theatre to Park Theatre?
We’re working on it now and discovering more and more. This time around it’s semi immersive, so as an audience member you can be in the action or a spectator. We’ll still be pulling pints on stage though!
What can audiences expect?
A unique experience, almost a vintage one! Beautiful writing that’s sometimes political. Loads of 80s bangers! To laugh, cry and think all this for under £25 – an absolute bargain!
What are you doing next?
Literally the day after we finish, my short film I’ve written, The Wolf (starring James Harkness in the title role) opens at BIFA Beeston film festival. I’ve got some writing deadlines looming that I need to finish and it’ll be back into auditioning again, as well as looking after my twins and my little one.
Two plays Park Theatre from April 1-25. Tickets here.
Top image: Two (image supplied)