One Man Two Guvnors by Richard Bean: National Theatre at Home: YouTube: until 9th April 2020: 5*****. Review Mark Courtice
One Man Two Guvnors
by Richard Bean,
based on 'The Servant of Two Masters' by Carlo Goldoni, with songs by Grant Olding.
National Theatre at Home, to 7pm on Thursday 9 April but you'll need to start watching no later than 4pm UK time on 9 April to ensure you see it all.
Information: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-one-man-two-guvnors
Viewing platform: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDq1XzCY0NIOYVJvEMQjqw
Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes, including one interval
5*****
Review Mark Courtice
An international phenomenon since it opened at the National Theatre in 2011 this lovely show is now in your own front room. It’s the first of four productions the National Theatre is streaming; each running for a week.
When I saw this play in the theatre I very nearly fell off my seat with laughing. Nearly 20 years later from one’s sofa it’s just as delightful, hilarious, skilful and dangerous to one’s equilibrium as it ever was. From the warm, committed, and energetic performances to the pin-sharp direction this continually inventive adaptation just delights. The writing is genuinely funny, continuously and confidently throwing ideas new ideas and old gags together, while getting cheerfully more complicated. The wit is leavened by tried and tested physical routines; director Hytner and his associate McCrystal know them all and use them to create breathless fun. There’s clever music as Grant Olding’s witty ear creates a neat pastiche of 50`s pop.
The performances are all exhilaratingly good, and it seems invidious to pick out Corden’s charmingly batty Henshall, Oliver Chris’s block of an ex-public school bully, or Daniel Rigby as the hopeless actor, Alan Dangle. Everyone works so hard so it’s no surprise that the company all take their part in the musical interludes during the scene changes. Even the audience are pressed into service and although at home the power of 1200 people all laughing at once is somewhat distanced you still feel part of a special event; and watching, as the first night audience did, with some 200,000 plus people is very exciting.
The National’s response to the emergency is wholehearted and generous, and this lovely, funny, superbly competent production is the perfect tonic. It’s only on for a week, its joy will last for longer - catch it if you can.
Cast
Dolly Suzie Toase
Lloyd Boateng Trevor Laird
Charlie “the Duck” Clench Fred Ridgeway
Pauline Clench Claire Lams
Harry Dangle Martyn Ellis
Alan Dangle Daniel Rigby
Francis Henshall James Corden
Rachel Crabbe Jemima Rooper
Stanley Stubbers Oliver Chris
Gareth David Benson
Alfie Tom Edden
Ensemble Polly Conway
Ensemble Jolyon Dixon
Ensemble Derek Elroy
Ensemble David Hunter
Ensemble Paul Lancaster
Ensemble Gareth Mason
Ensemble ClaireThomson
The Craze
Drums Benjamin Brooker
Bass Richard Coughlan
Guitar Philip James
Guitar Grant Olding
Creative Team
Director Nicholas Hytner
Associate Director Cal McCrystal
Designer Mark Thompson
Lighting Designer Mark Henderson
Music Grant Olding
Sound Designer Paul Arditti
Fight Director Kate Waters
Choreographer Adam Penford
Broadcast Team
Director for Screen Robin Lough
Technical Producer Christopher C.Bretnall
Lighting Director Bernie Davis
Sound Supervisor Conrad Fletcher
Script Supervisor Laura Vine