The Kiln, cast, crew and creatives have truly outdone themselves. This musical is faultless. Sam Tutty gives Douglal a genuine likability with a childish warmth evoking care from the audience almost immediately. His softness, humour and timing all contribute to a very human performance that is consistent throughout his singing and speaking delivery. A brilliant progression from his also endearing work on Dear Evan Hansen. Dujonna Gift creates a mature Robin that gets slowly broken down by Dougal’s lovability and innocent charm. She unravels emotionally as the show progresses as she deals with life’s hurdles all with an unrelenting English boy by her side. Dujonna’s delivery is extremely considered with nothing out of place, her acting and vocal talent are completely on par creating a mesmerising watch. Both in this two hander carry the impact of a full ensemble in their truth, connection and pure talent.

Jim Barne and Kit Buchan’s show follows an English boy’s adventure to New York to attend his father’s wedding, whom he’s never met. A moment he’d dreamt of all his life, which he shares in a beautiful song ‘Dad’. Upon arrival he meets Robin his soon to be step-auntie-in-law and he pesters her to show him around the city much to her dismay. The rest of the play uncovers the following 24 hours he spends in New York as the two’s walls break down and they become closer than they once anticipated, which does entail carrying a cake across New York. The journey is touching, wild, and unforgettable while their connection is hilarious, conflicting and unbelievably relatable. From a wild spending spree on Daddy’s card to a wedding in a noodle bar, the show has almost every human experience covered.

The songs paired with the live above stage band are truly magnificent. Musical Director Sean Great and sound designer Tony Gayle have created a masterpiece. The songs are filled with and driven by storytelling and create the lovechild of a Harold Pinter play and a Broadway Musical. Standouts include ‘The Hangover Duet’ and ‘The Argument’ but truly there are too many to count. All provide a progression to the story and are wither beautifully touching or heartbreaking to hear, when paired with Tutty’s and Gift’s astounding vocals.

It’s rare to find a musical with successfully truthful songs, story and acting and Two Strangers hits a home run on all accounts.

Soutra Gilmour’s set is remarkable. The set alone could carry the attention of the audience throughout the whole show but thankfully due to the talent of the rest of the cast and creatives it doesn’t have to. Its elegance, simplicity and functionality is indescribable. What appears to be a pile of bleak suitcases surrounded by a revolve quickly morphs into every and any setting with some cases opening up to be a mini bar in a hotel, others being the counter at a coffee shop and some creating a bed, restaurant and anything else they are required to be. I have never witnessed a set so beautifully and thoughtfully designed and could fit in any space intimate or otherwise. The Kiln is a perfect home for this show but its magic would not be list were it to transfer to another theatre… nudge nudge wink wink!