One Man, Two Guv'nors

Dudley Little Theatre seem thoroughly at home in what has now become their base after all their efforts to get Netherton Arts Centre re-established as a venue.

Richard Bean’s adaptation of Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters, has all the hallmarks and pedigree of a laugh out loud, raucous comedy and Dudley Little Theatre’s version met all the criteria. Bean, having moved the setting of the original Commedia dell’arte style play to Brighton in the 1960s gives full rein to all comedy stalwarts – mistaken identity, comedy disguises, running jokes, larger than life characters, audience (or are they?) participation and a comedy elderly waiter for good measure and if that wasn’t enough, they are all encompassed in a send up of the gangster underworld of the decade paying homage to the Krays!

Rebecca Clee’s production cleverly took advantage of the restricted space that St Peter’s Church Hall offered by successfully integrating scene changes with the action, performed by the characters themselves and the inventive use of auditorium entrances and actions diverting the attention of the audience.  The story opens at the engagement party of Pauline Clench (played by Gina Lovell) to Alan Dangle (played by Harry Fox) who worked beautifully together - the delightfully practical and matter of fact Pauline up against the totally unrealistic aspiring actor dreams of Alan. The engagement has been brought about due to the untimely death of Pauline’s original fiancé, deviously arranged by Pauline’s father and local mobster, Charlie ‘the Duck’ Clench, given a remarkably true-to-life touch by Tony Stamp, bobbing and weaving, adapting every situation to his advantage. Other guests at the party include: Alan’s father Harry, an unscrupulous, slimy, always-trying-to-please-because-he-knew-what-the-consequences-would-be-if-he-didn’t, solicitor, portrayed with just the right amount of unctuousness by John Lucock;  Dolly, Charlie’s long-suffering book-keeper, hosting the soiree with the aplomb and confidence of the long-suffering but proud loyal employee, played superbly by Debra Attwood, who seemed to relish in the power behind the throne role and Lloyd, a member of the criminal fraternity played with a mischievous glint in his eye by Michael Willis – dropping in the odd bon mot – normally when it is not wanted!

Roscoe Crabbe was owed money by Charlie and has come to collect his money, in the guise of his right-hand man – Francis Henshall, the part made famous by James Corden at the National Theatre but in the safe and capable and extremely funny hands of Ellis Daker, squeezing every ounce of humour and pathos and everything in between out of the part by sheer charm and guile and stage presence – but there’s a twist.  Because of Roscoe’s untimely demise, he is being impersonated by Roscoe’s twin sister, Rachel, a brilliant opportunity to play a thoroughly endearing but suitably menacing and seized with both hands by Flora Deeley added to which, she is engaged to the utterly annoying Stanley Stubbers a hooray-henry before his time, given great comic treatment by Gareth May.  Rachel’s relationships with these characters give her great freedom to run the gamut of all emotions and achieves it by making it all look so easy.

Francis – still with me?, always with one eye open for the next easy buck, get himself employed by Stanley, a recipe for disaster if there ever was one, due to his relationship with Rachel gives numerous opportunities for mix-ups and embarrassing situations and the actors take full advantage of every situation that they are presented with.

Francis, also seems to not only to have an interest in money but also an obsession with food.  This is demonstrated to its fullest in the scenes in the hotel where two dining rooms are in operation at the same time, serviced by Francis ably supported by the extremely old retainer (humorously played by the youthful Marc Blakemore) picked on unmercifully with various slapstick scenarios and overseen by the more senior and stern taskmaster, Gareth, played with suitable officiousness by Liam Smith offering all three some great comic moments which were lapped up by the audience.  Talking of which – just when you thought it was safe to sit back and enjoy the mayhem that ensues – you become part of the play – or at least one person does – who ends up not only exchanging banter with Francis but ultimately ends up part of the slapstick routine!  Of course, the supposed surprised member of the audience is actually a plant and the role was carried off very realistically by Katy Pearson who seemed to thoroughly embrace pulling the wool over the audiences eyes.

There were some great comedic touches in this delightful production – some excellently played jokes using the benefit of the 1960’s setting forecasting the future - the unlikelihood of the female prime minister, how skiffle player Fracis missed out on being one of ‘The Beatles’ and the only reason for anyone going to Australia is because they are interested in opera! Congratulations to all involved on a splendid achievement, meeting the challenges of the venue head on, and turning them into triumphs. With grateful thanks for making me most welcome and onwards and upwards for DLT’s pantomime, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ – oh, yes it is!

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