Review: Two Strangers and a Clipboard (Etcetera Theatre)

Charlie Jennings & Gaby Coleman - photo by Nadia Koch

Two Strangers and a Clipboard was performed as a work in progress at the Etcetera theatre on a Friday afternoon at 3pm. Written and directed by Maria Speight, this preview performance was to a full house.

The stage was set with a table and four chairs in a line, not unlike what you would see in a GP surgery or other waiting room. Sam (Gaby Coleman) then burst into view, listening to music on a Walkman, instantly showing the timeline – although this play was set in an alternative reality.

Sam was joined by the chaperone, all formality and rule focussed… until she’s wasn't. This character was a mixture of authoritarian and funny and played to perfection by Lucy Forker, who has brilliant comic timing and some hilarious facial expressions.

Through a discussion with the chaperone and Gary (Charlie Jennings) who also joined Sam in the waiting room, it became apparent that they were both in a waiting room for a court hearing. Gary was there for a hearing about a parking/road rage issue, Sam’s hearing was to discuss the fact they were designated a Corpus at birth and they wish to be reassigned a Creare.  These labels have an impact on your whole life as they designate the opportunities open to you in future, including your choice of career paths.

Lucy Forker, Kimberley Ellis and Gaby Coleman - photo by Nadia Koch

Eventually we saw how Sam's hearing went when the chaperone called them through to meet the judge (Kimberley Ellis).  The dynamic between the judge and chaperone as well as between them and the people being called in for hearings was engaging and flowed well.

This designation of a certain role at birth not only brought back memories of reading Brave New World, but as each of the designated roles, Corpus and Creare, were described, it made me think of the many different boxes people are expected to fit into. The writing is extremely thought-provoking in this way.

Each of the four characters added interest to the play, with surprising comedic moments coming from unexpected places, and a sense of everyone pushing against what is expected not only from society as a whole but also their designated role within it.  There was also a strong message that allies can come from unlikely places.

Curtain call photo

As a work in progress, this play was a joy to watch, with intelligent writing that keeps you guessing and makes you think, including sinister elements as well as some great comic moments. The casting for this preview show was perfect. I didn’t want the performance to end and can imagine this being developed into a much longer show.

Whether this does happen, or it sits firmly in a one hour time slot, Two Strangers and a Clipboard is already a satisfying piece of fringe theatre.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you would like to see more of my curtain call photographs from this and other shows, please visit my Instagram.

I was gifted a ticket for this show in exchange for an honest review.