Qulture Magazine

Words: Niamh Leiper

Not so fun fact about the Edinburgh Fringe: a good percentage of shows deny access to latecomers.

Even less fun fact: this policy still stands if you’re a poor lost Glaswegian, five minutes late, un-used to navigating a city primarily composed of alleyways, stairs, and tourists.

Unfortunately, this resulted in me receiving a penalty barring (there’s a joke in there somewhere) of 15 minutes to Roddy Doyle’s newest bit of theatre: Two Pints.

The feeling of being admitted into the venue was immediately familiar. It evoked the sensation of returning from the depths of the pub toilets, only to find your friends entrenched in a conversation completely different to the one they were having when you left two minutes previous. The key difference being, the conversation on-stage was incredibly immersive and easy to follow, while maintaining an atmosphere of intimate people-watching.

The play follows the many pub visits of two old friends, and their discussions covering everything from the human condition to Nigella Lawson.

While the piece lacked visible action, the dialogue was entirely dynamic: witty and natural – with borderline existentialism cleverly disguised as tipsy patter.

By the end of the show’s 60 minute run, you’ll be left with a full heart, as well as plenty of topics to discuss with your own friends when you go for your inevitable, post-show pints.

Two Pints can be caught every day at George St. Assembly Rooms until the 24th of August (as long as you show up on time).