An accomplished two-hander from some fresh talent that reveals the ugly intricacies within a brother-sister relationship
Sibling rivalry is the baseline of this one-act play for two that had its first performances at Camden Fringe this season. The intriguing title, 2.36, does not refer to its length or ratings. It alludes to the UK’s average family size. After all, as the synopsis states, “families never add up cleanly”.
This is a tightly written tale of two half-siblings, Josh and Keira Carrington, bright and vocal students, who are on a quest to research their family history. Their forebears were a wealthy family that purports to have roots in Luxembourg, where their parents now live, so they’re off to join them for the holidays.
Keira, as the younger of the two, is jealous of golden boy Josh, who seems to hold more cards in this game of “happy” families. As their stay comes to an end, this long-standing resentment comes to a head in the wee hours (hinting at that title again). After a night of dancing, drinking shot after shot to a soundscape designed by Belle Bao that has the rhythmic banging of glasses on the table rising to a crescendo, they receive news that their grandfather in England is desperately ill. What will be in the small print to indicate who inherits what in his will?
© Kayden Lucas
Written and produced by the young Jewish cast, 18-year-old Anoushka Cowan (daughter of Tracy-Ann Oberman no less) and 20-year-old Elijah Lifton, 2.36 is the first production from their newly launched Marigold Productions (for which they are already working on the next draft of this, their debut duologue). The set is simple but effective, with just a table and a couple of chairs in front of a large landscape painting, allowing the duo’s talents to shine. Sensitive direction comes from Guy Rapacioli (assistant director on the first run of The Merchant of Venice 1936 at Watford Palace Theatre) and emerging playwright Jessie Millson.
There’s a dark streak to 2.36, which Cowan and Lifton wholly embody in a show of secrets, hypocrisy and subterfuge.
By Judi Herman
2.36 ran at Etcetera Theatre as part of the Camden Fringe, Friday 1 – Sunday 3 August. Keep an eye on instagram.com/_marigoldproductions to find out what else is coming up from Marigold Productions.