Draw Two, at Theatre Works' Explosives Factory - 80 minutes, with no interval

Filled with humour and pathos, Draw Two is a richly human tale.

It is a compelling, beautifully crafted and superbly told story about the impact of a life changing event.

In her late 20s, Riley thinks she knows which way is up. Put another way, she has built a life for herself that she likes.

Photos by Hannah Jennings

She has moved from her original home in the country to Melbourne, where she is in a relationship with El(eanor).

She has no desire to have children, but they have a cat named PJ (short for Periwinkle Jones).

Then, Riley’s identical twin sister Mia dies, leaving behind a five-year-old son, Lucas.

There was no man on the scene, no husband or partner, just Mia and Lucas.

Feeling guilty for not being there for Mia, Riley returns to the country to try to pick up the pieces.

Since their father died of a heart attack, their mother moved away from the farm, where they were brought up.

Now, Riley is helping to clean up their original home and ready it for sale, but, most importantly, to collect Lucas and bring him back to Melbourne to start a new life.

She will become Lucas’ legal guardian and El is readily on board with that.

Still, Riley isn’t sure that is the best thing for Lucas. After all, he could stay in the country and live with his grandmother.

Then, in the space of little more than 24 hours, a great deal happens.

Riley meets an old school friend of Mia’s, Kieran, who is separated with a son, Samuel, who is Lucas’ age. That is when things start to get messy.

Kieran, who was always attracted to Mia, mistakenly believes that Riley is Mia … and Riley doesn’t correct him.

And Lucas injures his arm.

Riley is left with a critical decision to make. What is the best way forward for Lucas … and for her.

This is Riley’s story to tell and, brutally honest, she does so through memory, reflection and whimsy, as superbly realised by Georgia McGinness.

What a magnificent, nuanced performance she gives in a remarkable 80-minute monologue, full of light and shade.

She takes on different characters, changing tone and delivery style, as appropriate.

I immediately bought in, stuck by her natural ability to assume multiple roles with dexterity and drive.

As Riley, she talks about her relationship with Mia, her mother, her father, an inquisitive Lucas, El and Kieran.

As she does, childlike drawings appear on the set – a lovely touch, the fine work of visual art designer Lauren Goodfellow.

In the first instance, though, it all gets back to the writing.

Meg McDonald is a magnificent wordsmith, who has a gift that I yearn to read/hear more of.

There is a deeply connected authenticity about her prose.

She effortlessly reaches the heart of human foibles, like few of the finest writers can.

She is funny and pithy and poised.

A simple set, just some cardboard packing boxes, a drop sheet and a ladder, are all that is needed to take us to a nondescript country residence.

That is the work of set and costume designer Ishan Vivekanantham.

Lighting and sound, too, are critically important to evoke the reality in which Riley lives.

Sam Gray is responsible for the former, while, armed with a visual toolkit of natural sounds, the composer and sound designer is Clare Hennessy. She also doubles as a vocal coach.

Tight direction by Lauren Bennett keeps the piece moving, as we travel back and forth in time through different character interactions and threads.

Draw Two is a special piece, one that moved and excited me. I laughed and I felt deeply. I was heavily invested. All sure signs that the play was weaving its magic. Bravo!

It is on at Theatre Works’ Explosives Factory until 27^th September, 2025.