One Man, Two Guvnors

Synopsis

The National Theatre’s smash-hit production of One Man, Two Guvnors transfers to the Adelphi Theatre in the West End with the original cast

Based on Goldoni's 18th-century comedy The Servant of Two Masters, in One Man, Two Guvnors James Corden plays the role of Francis Henshall, suddenly finds himself with two new masters - played by Oliver Chris and Jemima Rooper - on the same day.

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.

In Richard Bean’s adaptation, One Man, Two Two Guvnors of the italian classic, sex, food and money are high on the agenda.

One Man, Two Guvnors marks a triumphant return to the National for James Corden, who originated the role of Timms in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys in 2004. That production transferred to Broadway, toured internationally and was adapted for the big screen. Corden has since gone on to star in BBC comedies Gavin and Stacey, Horne and Corden, and ITV drama Fat Friends as well as films How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, Telstar, Lesbian Vampire Killers and All or Nothing. For two years, he also found time to co-host our very own Whatsonstage.com Awards with Sheridan Smith.

Richard Bean’s other plays include England People Very Nice for the National as well as The Heretic, Harvest, Honeymoon Suite, Under the Whaleback and Toast for the Royal Court and The Big Fellah for Out of Joint at the Lyric Hammersmith and on tour. 

Follow the ticket links for some great One Man, Two Guvnors tickets today!

Our Review:

Keith Paterson - 30 October 2011

Rave reviews, a sell out season at The National, West End transfer and a possible Broadway outing. So does One Man, Two Guvnors live up to the hype? The updated version of the Carlo Goldoni play, written by Richard Bean is enormously entertaining and beautifully played by a terrifically talented cast.

The action has been moved to 60's Brighton complete with an onstage skiffle band, The Craze. Like many farces, it does occasionally lose momentum though you are glad of the rest to catch your breath from the belly laughing. I believe the version which will open at the Adelphi is being slightly rewritten and reworked.

As the hapless retainer, James Cordon is rather brilliant and enjoys an enormous rapport with the audience. However, this in no one man show. There are equally delicious star turns from the stiff upper lipped Oliver Chris, who has the some of the best lines,Daniel Rigby as the hammy wannabe actor,[Suzie ...

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Latest User Review

David Baxter - 19 January 2012:

My week of theatre redux continues following Jerusalem with a second visit to One Man, Two Guvnors. I can't remember if I was in a bad mood on the day I saw it at the Lyttelton but I just could not see what the fuss was about. I may have been influenced by my antipathy for James Corden but almost the entire cast seemed then to be indulging in the belief that it would be even funnier if they made it up as they went along. Corden has now calmed down and, even though the story is completely ridiculous, it is now possible to better appreaciate Nick Hytner's breakneck-paced production and the comic genius of Richard Bean - a sort of profane P.G. Wodehouse. A second viewing also makes it easier to see the staged "improvisations" but also the frequent times when Corden is ad libbing furiously as the rest of the cast try to keep up. It's impossible not to admire his speed of wit and the superb way he interacts with the audience without belittling them - even if some now seem to come prepared with humus sandwiches. However I do have serious doubts about the show's longevity when it transfers to the Haymarket without Corden and the rest of this superb Broadway bound cast. I did feel slightly left out as one of the very few people not reduced to hysterics by this show so it is terrific now to be able to agree that One Man, Two Guvnors deserves all the awards it will receive....

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