Treatment

Two Sugars is an intimate character-driven drama set within the familiar yet loaded space of a London café. The story opens with Donell, a charismatic but reckless man, meeting his old friend Toby after a long estrangement. Their banter is lighthearted at first, laced with nostalgia and jokes, yet beneath the surface, both men carry heavy emotional burdens. Toby, who suffers from a heart condition called arrhythmia, hides his struggle behind humour and restraint, while Donell masks his insecurities with bravado and a new substance he swears is the key to his success—'Shoogar,' a dangerous stimulant.

As their conversation deepens, the cracks in their friendship are revealed. Toby confronts Donell’s history of reckless choices, while Donell pushes back, insisting he has finally found something that gives him purpose. The tension peaks when Donell, in a misguided attempt to help, laces a tea with Shoogar, only to lose track of which cup it was. The possibility of Toby drinking it adds an undercurrent of dread to the unfolding scene.

The climax comes when Toby finally admits to Donell that he has a serious heart condition, something he has been avoiding sharing. This revelation reframes their conflict, shifting it from judgment to empathy. Yet the unresolved tension of which tea contains the drug—and whether Toby has already ingested it—lingers, leaving the story on a haunting note. The play closes with a bittersweet echo: Donell, once again alone with his tea, faced with the silence of what might have been.

Meet the team

Tyrone C Miller - Writer - Co Director - Actor

Tyrone is a passionate and multifaceted artist, best known as the writer of Two Sugars. Deeply inspired by his father’s extensive DVD and VHS collection, Tyrone’s love for film began at an early age and has only grown stronger over time. He went on to study Television Production at university, where he honed his craft both behind and in front of the camera. In addition to writing, Tyrone has trained as an actor and will portray Donell in Two Sugars. Grateful for the talented team he’s brought together, Tyrone values not only their artistic gifts but also the genuine, creative people they are.

Gemma Burnand - Co Director

‘Hey, I’m Gemma! Very excited and grateful to have been asked to co-direct Two Sugars with Tyrone. My love for directing came through a childhood growing up acting, and learning quickly I belonged behind the camera, hah! After studying directing fiction in Berlin I have written and directed several short films, that have had success and recognition at international film festivals. My love for film comes from watching my Dad watch Films on a Sunday afternoon; true escapism for someone who needed it most. (And from when my English teacher first showed us Citizen Kane. ROSEBUD!) Tyrone is one of those people who has an air of magic about him, and that reflects into his stories and the people he has around him, so it’s an honour to be part of this team.😊’

Otilia De Royer - Producer

Otilia is a bilingual French-British actor, director, writer, and producer based in London, fluent in both English and French at a native level. Currently in her third year of training at the Collective Acting Studio, she has also studied at Cours Florent and completed the National Youth Theatre’s summer course.
As an actor, Otilia recently wrapped filming on two upcoming television series, including one for a major global streaming platform. She also starred in MARYLA, directed by Guillaume Heulard, which has received 44 festival selections and 23 awards across 11 countries.

As a filmmaker, she co-wrote and co-directed Office Hours, which has begun its festival circuit and has already won four awards.

She is now preparing for her debut as a producer with Two Sugars - a project she’s truly excited about, and one that brings together a story and team she deeply believes in.

Anica Hamed - 1st AD

Anica is an actor and award-winning filmmaker whose work focuses on truth, representation, and meaningful storytelling. After studying acting in London for the past few years, she made her directorial debut this year with a film that went on to win multiple awards. As an Arab and African woman, Anica is passionate about creating space for stories that celebrate diversity and authentic voices. She has always been drawn to films and theatre that portray womanhood in a real and thoughtful way.
Currently working as the 1st Assistant Director on Two Sugars, Anica is excited to be part of this project and looks forward to collaborating with such a talented team to bring its story to life.

Why do we want to tell this story?

Two Sugars is a story I’ve wanted to tell because it captures something deeply human — the quiet distance that can grow between friends, even when there’s still love and history there. As we move through life, people drift apart; we get caught up in our own worlds and rarely stop to think about what others might be carrying behind their smiles. This film is about that unseen weight — the grief, the heartache, and the physical burdens like heart conditions that people often face in silence.

I wanted to explore how easy it is to overlook those struggles, and how a single moment of connection or honesty can reveal so much about who we are and what we’ve been through. Two Sugars is about friendship, loss, and the quiet resilience that keeps people moving forward, even when they’re hurting. It’s a reminder to check in, to listen, and to really see the people we care about before it’s too late. Through this story, I hope to create something honest and emotionally grounded — a reflection of real life, where love and pain often coexist in the smallest, most human ways.

Tone and Feel

TONE: We want it to feel like an Autumn day! The colours and all-around mood. Autumn symbolises change, transition, and release. We feel that this suits the stylistic tone of our film. 

FEEL: We want it to feel like a real, truthful conversation that estranged friends would have; the hard truths are often the most impactful.

STYLE: Think "Heat (1995) mixed with The gentleman. We want the movie to really be thought-provoking and detailed, but subtle in the way we convey the deep subject matters in the short film.

Thank you : )