At a glance
Synopsis
Gwen and Jack, a long-married Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers tribute act, arrive at yet another rundown pub to perform their less-than-glamorous show. As they prepare backstage, Jack's unwavering optimism is constantly punctured by Gwen's sharp-tongued realism. They swap affectionate insults and relive disastrous gigs, failed television appearances and a lifetime spent chasing a dream that never happened.
But beneath the laughter, old wounds refuse to stay hidden. As the evening unfolds, long-buried memories surface, forcing Gwen and Jack to confront the devastating tragedy that changed their lives forever, and the truths they've spent years trying to outrun. Funny, heartfelt and deeply moving, Islands balances gentle comedy with genuine emotional depth, reminding us that sometimes the hardest journey is finding the courage to become ourselves again.
Written for two richly rewarding performers, Islands asks its actors to navigate an emotional journey that moves effortlessly from sharp comedy and affectionate banter to moments of profound honesty and heartbreak. Gwen and Jack are beautifully layered characters, each using humour to disguise the pain beneath the surface, offering actors the opportunity to reveal those hidden depths as the play unfolds. With complete freedom for directors to realise the world of the play in their own style, the focus remains firmly on two unforgettable people and the extraordinary relationship at their heart.
