Originally published by L.S. Media. March 25th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Cast: Andrew Schofield, Stephen Fletcher.

There is a realm of safety within the theatre called the dressing room where in theory an actor can relax, prepare themselves for the night ahead and be their true selves and away from the audience glare and the lights which can show every emotion.

American writer, David Mamet’s 1977 play A life in the Theatre is one of the first major productions to be staged in Liverpool and in the excellent talent of two of Liverpool’s finest acting fraternity, Andrew Schofield and Stephen Fletcher, the play took on new meaning for those lucky enough to catch this play in its extended two week run at the Actor’s Studio. It may seem a simple premise to take, In Robert’s (Schofield) words “Two Actors, some lines, and an audience-that is all” and present one of the finest 80 minutes of theatre that is an absolute privilege to witness.

The play opens at the stage door as two actors, Robert, a stage veteran and played with unnerving consummate ease by Mr. Schofield and the young promising actor John, portrayed by one of the acting finds in the last ten years, Stephen Fletcher. The tension between the two is visible but tellingly and sorrowfully tangible as they try to placate each other’s ego and try to find anything in common that will make the work they do easier to bare as they face, what in the end seems forever, in each other’s company.

The difference between reality and the inspired observational writing of Mamet could not be more different of that of John and Robert and the ease in which Stephen and Andrew play off each other. In recent years the two actors have found themselves in many productions together as diverse as Lennon, Little Scouse on the Prairie and Scouse Pacific all at the Royal Court. This friendship shows through during the play and the comfortable way they work in each other’s company is not only vital but impressive.

The audience is taken through many differing costumes changes as the two men show snippets of life on stage, outside the studio door and more importantly in the dressing room where the raw emotion comes through, the sense of loneliness that Robert feels as he sees the young actor grow up and eventually start talking of offers away from the safety of his theatre.

The close feel, the almost agoraphobic intenseness of the play was enhanced by putting it on in The Actors’ Studio. This may not be the first theatre that people think of when delivering a play to the Liverpool public but its close proximity to the stage enhances the ability to be able to see Andrew Schofield’s remarkable talent for portraying the put upon thespian.

Although it was at the end of its run, A Life in Theatre is a play that could quite easily transfer to a bigger venue and especially with these two actors being in it, however if the play is revived in the next couple of years, it would be a shame to take it away from the Actors Studio.

A tremendously funny, heart warming, soul dividing play that touches every part of you.

Ian D. Hall