Frinton Repertory Theatre- Two Into One

It has been a real joy and a privilege to direct farce again- a genre rarely produced today (although we sold out in Frinton!). Thank you to Clive Brill for your faith in my ability to bring this complex farce from page to stage. Ray Cooney was also lovely in advance with his time and advice via email in readiness for this production, and Juliette Demoulin’s creative vision with the scenic design enabled us to find a way to create this 5-location piece on stage at Frinton.

Here are my programme notes:

“Ray Cooney is a master of farce, and he has often described Two Into One as one of his personal favourites. First produced in 1981 in Leicester and later opening in the West End in 1984—starring Donald Sinden as MP Richard Willey—the original productions were set against the backdrop of Margaret Thatcher’s government. 

Cooney has revisited the play several times over the years, notably at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2012, where he not only directed but also appeared as the waiter. More recently, he reworked the play for The Mill at Sonning in the 2020 version that updates the action with mobile phones, and places Richard Willey squarely within Boris Johnson’s government. It is this modern variation that we are presenting here at Frinton which loses none of its original structure or intention.

But farce, at its heart, is not about politics—it’s about real people caught in extraordinary situations. Two Into One is no exception. What begins as a seemingly simple premise—a cheeky afternoon rendezvous in a hotel room—quickly spirals into delirious absurdity through a series of perfectly logical, moment-by-moment developments.

Cooney has remarked that in farce, “tragedy is never far away.” While Shakespeare or Chekhov might explore the fallout of infidelity and ruined careers with pathos, Cooney finds comedy in the chaos. The humour lies in watching people go to ever more desperate lengths to conceal their misdeeds; exposing lies, double standards, and triple identities”.

Produced by Clive Brill.

Cast: Harry Ludlow, Alice Redmond, Adam Jessop, Anthony Pedley, Joanne Heywood, Jamie Treacher, Phoebe Shepherd, Samuel Leaver, Kat Stidston.

Set Design: Juliette Demoulin.

Costume Design: Neil Gordon.

Lighting and Sound Design: Pip Thurlow.

Stage Manager: Amy Moore.

Assistant Director: Kat Stidston.

Head of Production: Adam Smith

Production Photography (Chris Davies Photography)