One Man, Two Guvnors is a play by Richard Bean which made
its debut at the National Theatre in 2011. Following this it toured the UK and
transferred to the West End’s Adelphi Theatre and then later at the Royal
Haymarket Theatre. Since then the production has opened on Broadway and has
launched its second tour which will make international stops.
The play is a
classic slapstick comedy, following the story of Francis Henshall who has been
employed by two men, Roscoe Crabbe and Stanley Stubbers. Roscoe Crabbe was
meant to have been killed by his twin sisters fiancé but he suddenly comes back
to claim Pauline Crocker as his wife. Roscoe is of course his Twin Sister,
Rachel Crabbe, in disguise. She is doing this so she can get money off
Pauline’s father so she and Stanley (who killed her brother) can go to
Australia and hide away from the police.
I don’t personally like slapstick
comedy as I get bored of it after two minutes however this play really brought
it into the twenty first century and made it right for a modern audience, integrating
audience interaction with the comedy. Richard Bean really knows who to write a
comedy, he carried the humour throughout the whole show and he did it really
well. At no point did I think ‘this is dragging on’ or ‘ok, next scene please’.
A very talented writer.
Nicholas Hytner’s direction is exceptional; he handles
this production so well. The way he has modernised the slapstick comedy in the
show is brilliant and is the key to what makes this show so funny. Mark
Thompson’s design feels a little like it’s a budget touring productions set but
I can’t deny that it works for this production.
Rufus Hound stars as Francis
Henshall in this production (previously James Cordon and Owain Arthur), as an
actor he’s not the best. In fact, when he did a few of the monologues I felt
like I was watching a bad actor in Panto but what really makes his performance
good in the show is his charisma he has within the audience interaction. Being
a comedian he’s very quick witted and is absolutely hilarious.
Kelly Price
plays Dolly in the show and she really bounces off the other characters well, her
attitude in the role was a nice contrast to the other people on stage. Rhona
Croker was by far my favourite thing about this production, a hilarious portrayal
of Pauline. Playing the comical dumb blonde perfectly; it’s like she was made
for this role! Amy Cudden plays Rachel Crabbe and to be honest I wasn’t keen on
her. At times I felt she blocked a lot of the comedy and didn’t respond to some
of the other characters like she should have. I also saw very little difference
when she changed between Rachel and Roscoe which confused me a little, I wish
she was a little more girly as Rachel because that would have made it a little
more clearer to the audience.
Sam Alexander played Stanley Stubbers, he played
it alright and his relationship with Frances was funny to watch but it felt
like every movement he done was choreographed which felt a little boring to
watch but he was still good in the role. Harry Kershaw played Alan Dangle in
the play and he did the ‘actor’ type character perfectly didn’t lose his focus
at any point in the show and really carried it through which really impressed
me. Ian Burfield as Charlie Clech was the classic 60’s cockney dad, looked the
part and acted it really well. Hugh Sachs and Derek Elroy, I didn’t actually see
the point of them in the show. I can’t even remember what they did! I’m
surprised they haven’t been cut to save money on salaries, but maybe their
characters have a really important meaning within the plot, I obviously missed
it though!
In this production before the show starts and while the set was
being changed behind the curtain you get the pleasure of watching ‘The Craze’
perform. I think it’s to get you in the 1960’s mood and it certainly did that! Consisting
of a lead singer and a 3 piece band all playing different instruments it really
is a nice way of breaking up the performance and it really is nice to have them
perform for 15 minutes or so before the show. Although they were quite loud so
when you’re trying to settle in your seat and have a little chat with the
person you’ve gone with you end up trying to over them. However they were brilliant,
especially the lead singer who was Josh Sneesby on the night I was there. Helps
he was nice on the eye (#hotgingeroftheday).
Overall the show was good, I
enjoyed it. It wouldn’t be something I’d necessarily go and see again because I'd know what was coming and the funny parts wouldn't be funny a second time but it’s
still a good play. I’d recommend it to people if they want a play where they
can go and laugh a lot (especially at the end of act 1... I actually felt tears
on my face). It’s a funny show with a good cast but I wouldn’t tell you to rush
to get a ticket any time soon.
Rating: ***
One Man, Two Guvnors is currently playing at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket
Cast Includes: Kelly Price, Derek Elroy, Ian Burdfield, Rhona Croker, Hugh Sachs, Harry Kershaw, Rufus Hound, Amy Cudden, Sam Alexander, David Benson, Martin Barrass, Mensah Bediako, Owen Brazendale, Gillian Budd, Max Hutchinson, Tom Lorcan, Aimee Parkes, Claire Sudin, Tom Green, Josh Sneesby, Bryan Smith, Richard Coughlan and Benjamin Brooker.
