THE Thomas Lord Pub was the ideal setting for an evening of the most intimate and powerful theatre that is Two, an excellently written comic-drama about an embittered pub landlord and his wife intertwined with snapshots of their customers' lives. With the action taking place around the real pub bar, the strength of these performances, coupled with first-rate sound effects, soon had you believing that the characters were really drinking from or breaking actual glasses, not miming.

Mary Dawson's brilliant direction ensured superb comic timing and characterisations, but this would have been nothing without the outstanding performances of the two actors (portraying fourteen roles between them with a variety of faultless accents).

Mick Keegan was magnificent with the range of characters he portrayed, while Suzanne Hall was exceptional in all her accents, expressions and mannerisms. The poignant conclusion of the play seemed to leave her completely drained by the intense emotions. Outstanding.

Anne Waggott Two, The Thomas Lord & West Meon Theatre, The Thomas Lord Pub, West Meon