Stage Review of the UK Premier Production of TWO PINTS

 

Actors Sean Kearns and Anthony Brophy
Two Pints at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Nicola Young photography 

Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Two Pints

Writer Roddy Doyle

Director Sara Joyce

This is a review of the UK Premier production of Roddy Doyle's Two Pints at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre.

Actors Sean Kearns and Anthony Brophy play two Irish friends who regularly meet for a pint (or three) of the black stuff in their local pub. A third cast member is actor Steve Gunn who plays the barman.

Actor Steve Gunn 
Two Pints at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Nicola Young photography 

Taking their seats at the bar these down-to-earth, sweary individuals philosophise about the meaning of life and ponder over daft things. The two are opinionated about some folk and blunt about celebrity culture, they are both respectful and appreciative of each other and of each others' kinships. 

There's never a cross word or any drunkenness just a loosening of the tongues and a wonderful sharing of anecdotes which we delight in overhearing. It becomes apparent that they are comfortable in the company of one another and that these drinking sessions are a kind of therapy for the two.

Pictured Sean Kearns and Anthony Brophy
Two Pints at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Nicola Young photography 

There are many funny lines as the two men take amusing slants on topics and go all wax lyrical about people they admire; there's some pearls of wisdom in the ramblings and a degree of sadness and melancholy too.

 

Kearns and Brophy are so incredibly naturalistic with the constant dialogue and jointly deliver this largely, two-hander play so successfully. 

Splashes of writing genius throughout this playscript and this is acknowledged in the director's note:

"Roddy Doyle is to Ireland what seeing a good friend is after an awful day. It’s a privilege to direct his play that is so utterly human in its honesty, banality, sadness and hilarity" Sara Joyce, Director (2025)

The B2 staging is a welcoming pub setting complete with a long bar, coolers, spirit optics, drinkwares, bar accessories - the lot!

'Bottoms Up!' and it would be right and proper that many bottoms fill many seats at The Belgrade Theatre throughout Two Pints run until May 24th. It's a "clár gáire" (a series of laughs).

**ENDS**

Review by Theatre Critic, Debra Hall who attended the press night event of Two Pints at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 7pm

REFERENCES

Pollard, M. Press Night Information - Two Pints, Belgrade Theatre - Wednesday 7 May  06 May 2025

Pollard, M. Production Images 07 May 2025