One Man, Two Guvnors

Richard Bean's One Man, Two Guvnors in London based on Carlo Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters.

Rachel: "Are you seriously suggesting that we men, are, day to day, moment to moment, making thousands of small tactical decisions, the cumulative effect of which is to reduce the time between leg-overs?"
Francis: "I can't speak for you guv, but that is a fair description of my life."

Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall becomes minder to tiny Roscoe Crabbe, a small time East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6,000 from his girlfriend's fiancee's dad. But Roscoe is really his sister Rachel posing as her own dead brother, who's been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers. Holed up at The Cricketers' Arms, the permanently ravenous Francis spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a second job with one Stanley Stubbers, who is hiding from the police and waiting to be re-united with Rachel. To prevent discovery, Francis must keep his two guvnors apart. Simple.

Frances: "It's all right this two jobs lark, 'cause you can do what you like all day, and it don't matter if you get sacked 'cause you've still got the other job. And 'cause you got the sack, you can sign on straight away. Why doesn't everybody live like this?"

"Richard Bean's spin on Goldoni's comedy has a new cast, as the original one is off to try its luck on Broadway. And the great news is that the show is just as uproarious, with Owain Arthur taking over from James Corden as a very Welsh Francis Henshall... Once Arthur manages his 'spontaneous' crack-ups a little more convincingly, he will be more than a match for his predecessor. Of all the feelgood shows in London, this is the funniest, the most physical and the smuttiest, making the saucy Brighton location so appropriate." The Sunday Times

"The original company of the National Theatre's biggest hit since War Horse have packed their bags and gone to New York..The big question was whether the recast London production would still offer the same passport to comic bliss... Even though this is the third time I have seen the award–winning show, I can confidently state that the new company members are the equal of their predecessors, and you still leave the theatre with aching ribs and a huge, goofy smile on your face... Nicholas Hytner's production, complete with cracking skiffle band, often achieves an almost delirious comic momentum, and though the pace slows a little in the second half, there is by now so much happiness in the house that you barely notice... What are you waiting for? Book now." The Daily Telegraph

"Every young actor understudying a great star dreams of having to step in, become an overnight success and part of theatrical legend... Although the 'Star Is Born' syndrome does not quite apply here, 28-year-old Owain Arthur gives us a lively and compelling performance in the part that James Corden (whom he had understudied) transformed into such a hit... Arthur handles the role (which demands much physical energy) differently from Corden, turning the hapless Henshall into a well-meaning, good-natured buffoon... Arthur, who is built on slimmer lines, brings his own brand of whizzing slapstick to the part and uses his comically expressive face to great advantage... Between-the-scenes performances by country and western and 60s rock group the Craze are an added pleasure and Nicholas Hytner's direction keeps everything together in what is the funniest show in the West End." The Daily Express

The play is based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni and includes songs by Grant Olding. The production is directed by Nicholas Hytner with designs by Mark Thompson, lighting by Mark Henderson, music by Grant Olding and sound by Paul Arditti. One Man, Two Guvnors was originally seen at the National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre where the production previewed from 17 May 2011, opened on 24 May 2011 and closed on 19 September 2011 when it then transferred to the Adelphi Theatre where it previewed from 8 November 2011, opened 21 November 2011 and closed on 25 February 2012 before transferring to it's current home, The Haymarket Theatre from 2 March 2012.

One Man, Two Guvnors in London at the Theatre Royal Haymarket Theatre from 2 March 2012, closes 31 August 2013.