One Man Two Guvnors

This was an excellent play by Richard Bean, directed by Ollie Blake for the Players, he has a superb, strong cast that get the audience on side straight away in this very funny play.

The play is more of a farce, starting off at an engagement party in Brighton. Mark Haines plays the father (Charlie Clench) whose daughter Pauline, played by Victoria Garo-Falides, is about to marry would be actor Alan Dangle excellently over acted by Dean Rawson. Other family, friends and employees are all excellently played by Shannon Fisher (Dolly), Chris Davis (Lloyd Barton) and Clive Rigden (Harry Dangle).

All seems to be going along well, until the arrival of Francis Henshall who has been sent by his boss number one Rachel Crabbe (in disguise as her twin brother) Bethany Tyler. It all starts from here and what happens next is very funny and the audience is in for a treat.

Chris March plays Guvnor two (Stanley Stubbers).  Francis then has to play one off against the other, there is lots of rushing into different rooms, people getting knocked over by doors opening and some audience participation involving helping to move suitcases, and serving food and a fire extinguisher, all add to the enjoyment of the play.

Francis Henshall is the ‘one man’ and is excellently played by Mathew Walker, he is hardly off the stage and he gives a wonderful performance and has great energy. There are so many funny lines and Mathew is a joy to watch.

Two other stand out characters are Alan Whitty, playing Gareth, one of the waiters in the hotel, and Jack Haberfield as Alfie, an 80 year old who has so many trips and falls being hit by opening doors and falling out of sight downstairs. One very funny moment was when he was trying to open a bottle of wine - it was so funny.  All ends happily ever after.

Well done to cast and crew on a wonderful evening’s entertainment, I should also give a mention to the two musicians that played between the scenes.
 

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