Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam (excuse me — why isn’t he knighted?) are two of the finest actors of the English-speaking stage, and in Ben Weatherill’s new play, they sparkle as two diamonds — rich with experience, and a delight to watch.

Both dog lovers, Frank (Allam) is a hetero-widower, and Percy (McKellen) an exuberant divorcée; both content to see out their days walking their respective canines. And yet, underneath, there teeters the chance of a “second childhood”. A bona fide two-hander, Pinter it isn’t. But there’s no doubt the play drifts softly across the audience — with such charm, that one can’t help be moved by the two ageing characters; both looking for meaning in their later years. And, maybe, looking for a ‘someone’.

McKellen is his customary frenetic self: every subtle gesture is inch-perfect, and his hand is nearly always filled with a prop, threatening to convey more emotion than his commanding voice or longing looks out to the audience. Allam matches him every step of the way: a dull-set northern twang and sardonic delivery, his Frank is more brittle than McKellen’s Percy, though no less effecting. The audience melt when he finally says, “I want to kiss you.” It’s note-perfect. They’re legends, and cannot be faulted.

The real winner though is Ben Weatherill’s script, which is fraught with real potential. It might be worthy material he’s clung to, but it’s not always the most dramatic or funny — one wonders what he might do with more meaty material. Whatever it is, we hope to see it.

Playing at The Other Palace, 8 September – 17 December 2023.