Derby-based actor Sean McKenzie will take his first role at Derby Theatre for eight years when he appears in Jim Cartwright’s two-hander set in a pub, Two.
McKenzie last played Toad in Patrick Sandford’s adaptation of Kenneth Graham’s Wind in the Willows at Derby Theatre. Long engagements on War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time have kept him busy and on the road since then.
He said, “(Derby Theatre artistic director) Sarah (Brigham) has really brought the venue back to life and it’s in a terrific place. I’m so excited and also a little bit nervous as I don’t want to let anyone down. I’m very passionate about getting this right and to give everyone a great night out.”
He will take on six different roles in Two and believes the challenge will suit his talents.
“I think one of the reasons I’ve been able to have a good career is that I can adapt physically and vocally with only a slight costume change, such as a hat or a scarf. I don’t want to get too bogged down in costumes and voices and things like that—subtle shifts of character are more important for a play like this.
“I’m a great believer in what the playwright’s written. So much of the work has already been done and if you’re honest and truthful to the playwright’s intentions, then you find those characters without changing your voice or body that much.
“You want the audience’s imaginations to do some work as well and that’s what’s brilliant about this play—you might have one line as one character and with barely a beat or pause you’re into another one, so there’s isn’t always time for grand costume changes and it has to be about the truth of what you’re saying.”
Jo Mousley, who was in the 2015 production of Brassed Off at Derby Theatre, takes seven roles in Two and thinks there may not be a bigger challenge: “I’d rather be on stage working really hard than back in the dressing room after doing just one scene.
“This play will work really well in the Derby Theatre auditorium: as a space it’s so open yet intimate. The set is a pub and the stage will be built out into the audience, with some audience members sat around pub tables on the stage.
“When we’re on stage on our own with a monologue, we’re letting the rest of the people in the pub into our thoughts, so to have the audience so close is very important. It’ll draw them into this world, so the audience will really be at the pub and theatre at the same time.”
The original production concept is by Sarah Brigham. Julia Thomas directs. Two runs at Derby Theatre from Friday 2 until Saturday 24 March.