Learn more about the songs from 'Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)'

Find about more about the songs from Jim Barne and Kit Buchan's platonic romcom, playing at the Criterion Theatre in the West End until 31 August.

Julia Rank19 June, 2024, 08:00

Start spreading the news! Jim Barne and Kit Buchan’s two-hander Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) has been quite the cult hit, premiering at north London’s Kiln Theatre at the end of 2023 and transferring to the West End’s Criterion Theatre this spring, where its run has been extended until 31 August.

Dougal (Sam Tutty) is a naïve, optimistic Brit from Crawley, who travels to New York to attend his estranged father’s wedding. He’s met at the airport by the stressed-out Robin (Dujonna Gift), the sister of the much younger bride. A bond forms between the two strangers in the 36-hour interval in which they’re thrown together, but this isn’t your typical romcom.

You can listen to the eight-track EP featuring a selection of the songs. Learn more about them here but be sure to book tickets to experience the catchy and heartfelt score in its entirety – this is only half of what’s on offer!

Book Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) tickets on London Theatre.

“New York”

Bumbling Brit Dougal is attending his estranged dad’s wedding in New York, the capital of the USA (luckily his sort-of step-aunt-to-be Robin can correct him on that). His idea of the city comes from the movies (especially Home Alone 2), where “everyone has an apartment to spare with a skyline view” and “everything comes with a smile, a high five and a slice of cheese”. On a more personal level and, most importantly, it's the city "where even my father wants to hang out with me”. His puppy-ish enthusiasm and complete lack of self-consciousness is a bit embarrassing for Robin, a native New Yorker who certainly isn’t living the dream, with too many responsibilities and not enough money. She can’t help rolling her eyes at the way her guest calls New York “the city of angels” and “Tinseltown”.

“What’ll It Be”

This is Robin’s ‘I want’ song. Working as a barista, Robin is obliged to take orders and welcome customers with a friendly greeting. But what about her and her future? She’s considered sensible and outgoing by those around her and therefore feels obliged to “smile that smile [but] they don’t see / That you’re waiting for something. What’ll it be?”

“Dad”

Does Dougal have the right to call his father “Dad” when they’ve never met? He’s hopeful that this visit will make up for all the time they’ve lost. His mother has only ever said positive things about him and surely the fact that his father’s invited him to this special occasion shows that he’s keen to take an interest? Dougal’s life so far hasn’t been particularly remarkable (“I got mostly Bs and Cs in my GCSEs / I got mеasles, mumps, and chickenpox and coeliac disease”) while his dad is a millionaire, probably living in a penthouse. But maybe they’ll now have a chance to kick a ball, eat a vindaloo, and drink beer together – all those typical father-and-son activities.

“This is the Place”

With Dougal in tow, Robin returns to her old neighbourhood in Flatbush, Brooklyn to collect her sister’s wedding cake. She’s in a nostalgic mood, as she points out her old pre-school and the church where everyone knew her by name. There’s time for a detour and she becomes more animated than we’ve ever seen her as they wander around the block selling “Ten-dollar shoes, fake nails, a broken record player, Cuban quesadillas, and weed”. Movie buff Dougal is also excited because it’s the setting for the beginning of Ghostbusters 2. It’s very different to Manhattan: “This is Brooklyn, man. It’s the only part [of New York] that’s real.”

“Be Happy”

Robin and Dougal are starting to bond. She confides in him that her grandmother, whom she hasn’t seen in some time, always told her to “Be happy” because “If you’re happy, I’m happy”. She used to be able to convince herself that was the case, but it’s become impossible. Essentially, you have to “Be yourself, but be a version of yourself who knows the secret to just do it.”

“About to Go In”

Dougal leaves a voicemail for his mum as he prepares to enter the church for the wedding. Things haven’t gone according to plan and the night before was a bit chaotic (you'll have to watch the show for all the details!). He’s wearing the suit he wore after he finished his GCSEs, an occasion in which his friends went out without him – but his mum’s company and support has always been enough for him. He also hints at feelings that he’s developed for Robin.

“This Year”

A bittersweet number as Robin looks toward the end of the year. She’s spent most of the year alone and afraid but it is possible to make some changes: “The world is alive in the flickering light / In the anticipation of the girl that you might still be / Will be.”

“If I Believed”

It’s been a strange day and a half and Dougal and Robin have both found themselves changed by this unexpected encounter. It’s time for Dougal to go home and they conclude, “If I believed / My story’s end was predefined / I’ve changed my mind.” Whether or not they’ll keep in touch is up to interpretation, but both are in a better place than they were before.