A return to form for Mike Leigh

12:03pm Wednesday 26th April 2006

Two Thousand Years Lyttelton Theatre

By combining biting down-to-earth humour about the trivial things in life with global issues such as religion and politics Mike Leigh has come up with a moving and funny play, proving he is by no means a spent force.

The author's work has always been concerned with identity. Who are we and what are the preconceptions and expectations of other people because of who we are? This play especially explores being Jewish and what it means on a personal level and in an international context.

Reading between the lines Leigh suggests that these days politics is a level playing field in the UK. What is the difference between New Labour and the Tories anyway and religious fanaticism is tearing the world apart. So where do we turn for comfort? Our family? Friends?

There can be no greater compliment to this play and the quality of its acting, than to say that watching it is like eavesdropping through the window of somebody's living room, such is the realism of this keenly observed portrayal of a family in conflict.

If there is a criticism of it, it is that the plot is fairly thin. You are rarely intrigued as to what will happen next. But this is also part of its low-key, slow-paced charm which keeps you on the edge of your seat, expecting something horrific to happen. Its dialogue and emotion and the simmering emotional undercurrents of the characters are sufficient to keep you riveted throughout.

All the characters have terrific depth and an individuality that is also universal. Caroline Gruber is the voice of a typical mother, Rachel, who has sacrificed her life for her family, a curious mix of happiness and love for her family and regret that she hasn't made more of herself.

John Burgess as Dave is wonderfully abrasive as the grumpy grandad and probably the real mouth-piece of the author who is now in his sixties.

Ben Caplan as Josh is superbly under-stated as the sloth-like former philosophy graduate who has never done a day's work in his life. He is tortured with being misunderstood, desperately searching for his own identity and ridiculed by his family for his obsession with the Jewish religion.

Alan Corduner as Danny is convincing as the father, trying admirably to hold the family together. Alexis Zegerman is the level-headed independent- mined, sharp-witted daughter Tammy who is the parents' favourite.

Samantha Spiro as sister Michelle is the successful merchant banker with the "fruitcake" personality.

The bland setting for the play is a front room in Cricklewood with Ikea furniture and a conservatory, hardly Leigh territory in the past, but it seems irrelevant as the themes the play explores could be set anywhere.

The play is reflective rather than didactic and raises questions that make you reflect on your own family, your own identity, as well as the political situation in Israel.

But it is not only an enriching evening out, it is also entertaining, with some very funny one-liners and jokes guaranteed to make you chuckle. Overall the play works because it is about families and politics and is for and about everybody.

Two Thousand Years runs at the Lyttelton, Royal National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX, until June 10. Nearest Tube is Waterloo or Embankment. Telephone 020 7452 3000.

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