Beginning at the Royal Exchange
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Written by David Eldridge, Beginning is an intimate, beautiful and witty two-hander about a couple who reach out to each other after a housewarming party.
The play was a huge hit when it was first performed in 2017 at the National Theatre. Taking place in real time over 100 minutes, the play charts the interaction of two strangers – 38-year-old managing director Laura and 42-year-old middle manager Danny – as they desperately seek common ground.
Beginning is a play about taking risks, doing the unthinkable and wearing your heart boldly on your sleeve.
Although of the same generation, the two characters are cut from a completely different cloth – in their political views, upbringing and background. Directed by Bryony Shanahan, Beginning is a play about taking risks, doing the unthinkable and wearing your heart boldly on your sleeve.
The party draws to a close and laura’s new ‘fancy’ one-bedroom flat is a bit of a mess. But she doesn’t care because she has other things on her mind. She’s almost 40, single and sick of being sensible. Across the room, there’s Danny with a beer in his hand, ketchup on his work shirt and a fag on the go…just to settle his nerves.
Charged with emotional truthfulness, beauty, charm and embarrassing conversation.
Set in the post-party chaos, as night morphs into day, Laura and Danny circle each other. This is a play charged with emotional truthfulness, beauty, charm and embarrassing conversation. A vignette of love and loneliness in the digital age, the pair navigate infinite possibilities until a life-changing opportunity arises.
Beginning is the first instalment in a trilogy of work, exploring love and relationship, by writer David Eldridge. The second play, Middle was first performed at the Dorfman Theatre, London in 2022. We can’t wait to see where it all began at the Royal Exchange this February/ March.
