As theatrical mysteries go, London has this month been playing to quite a potent enigma, which has nothing to do with such ostensible thrillers as "The Mousetrap" and "The Woman In Black", both somehow still entrenched on the West End stage. Far greater suspense has been hovering over "Two Thousand Years", the first play in 12 years from Mike Leigh, a British film-maker, and his first-ever staging for the National Theatre. The entire London run sold out within days, even though the play did not even have a name until a fortnight before its premiere. Now that the finished result has finally been unveiled, one can appreciate a script that is full of its creator's characteristic social engagement and compassion even if, in various crucial ways, the play seems unfinished still.
展开▼
