One Man, Two Guvnors

Based on The Servant With Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, author Richard Bean's comedy masterpiece is a wickedly funny seaside farce set in Brighton in 1963.

Director Maureen George has crafted a fabulously entertaining show encasing the breadth of ability her highly talented cast.

The play itself follows the story of exceedingly hungry Francis, I almost expected to see a sponsored by Wimpy bars sign somewhere, effortlessly portrayed by Elliot Beech finding himself torn between two jobs and two govnors, who gets himself into a lot of trouble working for two high profile gangsters.

All is not what it seems as events become more and more confusing for Francis, who tries desperately to stay on top of his lies and serve both Guvnors at the same time!

He provides muscle for Guvnor One, Kathy Coombes as Roscoe Crabbe. He's also manservant to Guvnor Two, the boarding school reminiscer, Stanley Stubbers; played by Patrick Jervis. Both are equally nasty and demanding.

The strong cast all brought a really subtle well approached finesse to the show, extremely well observed performances all round. I must say the interplay between Charlie 'The Duck' Clench, Andy Jones; Stephen Brunton as Harry Dangle and Jonathan Blake as Lloyd Boateng was great, all making the most of their character's scenes. Similarly with Charlie's daughter Pauline Clench and her betrothed Alan Dangle, Lucy Dufaye and Dickie Bannister, lovely believable interplay between the actors.

Dolly, Charlie's secretary, Angelique Runnalls-Bould was oozing sex appeal, giving the fed and watered Francis a renewed purpose to be in Act Two, shall we say...

I must also mention Alfie the doddering geriatric trainee waiter; Nick Baker, superb slapstick.

I'm not sure about the skiffle band, initially it worked well covering the scene changes, at times, for me though it distracted from the comedic mayhem on the other two thirds of the stage.

I am reliably informed that No Australian's were hurt in the production of this show!

Very funny show, excellent character performances, making for a very enjoyable evening.

 

 

 

 

 

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