Review: Two Women at Stratford East

25 February 2010

Marc Bannerman as Barry, Michael Bertenshaw as Joey, Victoria Alcock as June and Alison Newman as Doreen

DON'T expect an easy ride from the first stage adaptation of a Martina Cole novel.

The prolific writer is renowned for her no-holds-barred snapshot of the east London underworld, with sex and violence constant themes.

Laura Howard as Matilda and Cathy Murphy as Susan

But you won't despair completely at Two Women, currently showing at Theatre Royal, Stratford.

Indeed, Cole fans will be surprised at just how many laughs are produced - an enforced respite for moments when normally you could put the book down if the realism gets too much.

Perhaps it was this need to 'go easy' on the audience that contributed to a fairly lacklustre start, with East End accents and mannerisms (not all Cockneys randomly shout 'Up the Ammers') taking a while to settle down.

The play opened with lawyers interviewing two women in prison charged with murdering their husbands - one a bored housewife claiming she was sexually abused, the other a tough East End girl claiming she'd do it all again.

The story pays little attention to the first and instead focuses on Susan, a girl born into gangland culture and abused by first her father and then her husband.

It's difficult to watch at times, particularly with scenes of sexual abuse which are delicately handled by director Ryan Romain. But it's worth sticking with, as the drama gradually reels in the horrified but spellbound audience.

Cathy Murphy is brilliant and utterly believable as poor Susan. Pint-sized but big-hearted, she can be bolshie and vulnerable with equal measure and has you rooting for her release by the end. Her scenes with posh cellmate Matilda - too infrequent for my liking - are excellent.

I loved Sally Oliver and Alison Newman as her friends and confidantes, while Marc Bannerman is ferocious as Susan's husband.

Cole fans will not be disappointed by this heart-rending take on domestic abuse, friendship and hope. Here's hoping there's another adaptation soon.

Until March 20.

4/5