Two Women, Martina Cole (play)

When I found out Martina Cole was putting on a play in Theatre Royal, Stratford I knew straight away it was something that I had to watch. I had the same feeling about her book 'The Take' which she transformed into a two part drama on sky one. I am a huge fan of Martina's work and have read majority of her books, and although this was one of her earlier books it was one of the few I had not read.

'Two women' is a book based around a relationship formed by two cell mates. Susan Dalston (played by Cathy Murphy from House of Eliott) and Matilda (played by Laura Howard, Midsomer Murders). Susan and Matilda are in prison for the same reason, mudering their husband. Thats as far as the cell mates similarites go. Susan is working classed, common talking and unattractive on the other hand Matilda is well groomed, middle classed, well spoken and attractive.

As the story begins to unravel we are taken through a flashback of Susan's life. Susan is neglected by her mother(played by Victoria Alcock, Bad girls), sexually abused by her farther and then gets married to Barry Dalston (played by Marc Bannerman, better know for his part as Italian Stallion in Eastenders) who takes over where her farther had left off. Barry is know for his womanising, cheating, viloent and abusive ways. Susan suffers the death of her first born after finding out her cheating husband has given her chlamydia. A weak and needy Susan stays with her husband and is preganant again. Baby after baby is produced and money is getting tight but Barry is no where to be seen, he has found himself a new lady who runs a brothel in Soho. Barry gets herpes, rapes his 15 year old daughter passing on this life long disease. Barry is dead, Susan is in Jail. But is Susan the real killer? and what happens with Susan's and Matilda's friendship?

Absolutly amazing is all I can say about this. An hour and a half packed with Laughter, tears and aprehension. I was late and missed the opening scene (*sighs) but I was able to follow the story and feel imence empathy for the protagonist. There was numerous jokes throughout the play which kept the a packed theatre entertained. Martina is famously know for writing street crime violence of a gritty nature. All these aspects were present, and because it was all shown on stage it allowed the viewer so feel a connection with the characters from a realist prospective. Having a mixture of unknown and known actors was something that benifited this project as it was just enough to bring in viewers and just enough to keep them guessing. During the interval I was able to talk to Martina (thanks Tulisa) and thank her for being an inspirational author and was able to express my love for writing. After the play we hit the bar and the networking began. Rubbing shoulders with ex-eastenders actors, producers, director, writers and publishers was a great way to end my thursday night.

I strongly advice you to read at least one of Martina Cole's books. I will warn you from now, once you read one you will want to read them all. My favourite is 'The Graft' no actually 'The take' acutally its both. Pick up a book have a read and thank me later for the recomendation .................