A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Two Thousand Years

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  3w, 5m

Mike Leigh

"Absolutely terrific...though the play's analysis of the strains of religion and family life is both moving and thought provoking, Two Thousand Years also proves blissfully funny." - The Telegraph

Two Thousand Years

Request license
Get the Script
  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 5m

Details

Summary
An upper-class secular Jewish family in England is forced to face their complicated relationship with their religion (or lack thereof) when their son decides to become orthodox at the age of 28. When their daughter, a successful freelance interpreter, brings home a secular Israeli boyfriend, things are complicated even further by the family's heated discussions regarding the politics of Israel. On top of all this, the grandmother (never seen) dies, prompting a long-lost aunt to suddenly appear to shattering results.
History

Two Thousand Years premiered at the National Theatre in London in September 2005 under the direction of Mike Leigh.

Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
RACHEL - 50
DANNY - her husband, a dentist; 53
JOSH - their son; 28
TAMMY - their daughter, freelance interpreter; 20s
JONATHAN - family friend; 40
DAVE - Rachel’s father; 78
TZACHI - Tammy’s Israeli boyfriend
MICHELLE - Rachel’s estranged sister; 40s
  • Time Period New Millennium/21st Century
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

REVIEWS 

"Absolutely terrific...though the play's analysis of the strains of religion and family life is both moving and thought provoking, Two Thousand Years also proves blissfully funny." - The Telegraph, Read More 

"This is not simply a play about families. Leigh is also writing about the crisis of loss of faith: about a world in which people have increasingly lost their beliefs in politics, religion and social progress. This is a passionate, funny, moving and well-observed play." - The Guardian, Read More

"CRITICS PICK! For proof that American playwrights have not quite cornered the market on angsty dramas about domestic strife, check out Two Thousand Years." - The New York Times, Read More 

"It's a funny, sad and affecting play about faith and family - and the nuttiness and resilience of each." - New York Daily News, Read More 

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $120 per performance

Scripts

Available Formats:
Get the Script

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Mike Leigh

Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, at Camberwell and Central Art Schools in London, and at the London Film School. He has written and directed over twenty stage plays. These include Babies Grow Old (1974), Abigail's Party (1977), Ecstasy (1979), Goose ...
View full profile

Community

Now Playing

Community Experiences