One Man, Two Guvnors

Synopsis

Based on Goldoni's 18th-century comedy The Servant of Two Masters. Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe, a small time East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6,000 from his fiancee's dad. But Roscoe is really his sister Rachel posing as her own dead brother, who's been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers. Holed up at The Cricketers' Arms, the permanently ravenous Francis spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a second job with one Stanley Stubbers, who is hiding from the police and waiting to be re-united with Rachel. To prevent discovery, Francis must keep his two guvnors apart. Simple.

Our Review:

Karen Bussell - 4 October 2011

If there are any tickets left for the National Theatre on Tour’s One Man Two Guvnors, go get ‘em (or book for its return to the West End in November).

Richard Bean’s adaption of the 18th century comedy by Carlo Goldini is a riot and lives up to its hype.

Set in 1963 Brighton, OMTG is, in essence, an old school farce with plenty of doors, slapstick, and larger than life characters with a hint of Carry On Confusing and excellent musical interludes (from skiffle through the Shadow-esque and steel drums to chest slapping percussion).

Things started a little creakily but that is more to do with premature expectation of side-splitting hilarity but the scene has to be set: bad boy and reportedly recently murdered Roscoe (cross-dressing Jemima Rooper) rather spoils the engagement party of nice-but-dim Pauline (Claire Lams) to the would-be actor son of successful lawyer and Latin-spouting Harry Dangle (Martyn Ellis). The Duck (Fred Ridgeway)...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

David Stanbury - 6 October 2011:

Excellent. Probably 4.5 rather than 4. A full house for its first night in Plymouth. Soon got into its stride and romped along with many laugh out loud moments. For me the second half did not quite match up to the first, but this could be because my expectations had been raised so high by the first half. I have not been a fan of James Corden, but in this he was superb. Get a ticket where and when you can....

Read more and add your own review