On tour,
Review by Anne Evelyn
The Marlowe Theatre was packed; and a touch of the West End brought to this part of Kent, with the skiffle band playing original music by Grant Olding as the mixed aged audience took their seats. The National Theatre production of One Man Two Guvnors is on tour and it is great that companies seem to be on the road more, moving the centre of gravity out of London, and allowing us provincial types to see high quality pieces of theatre. Well, slowly and surely.
While this might be considered an ‘adult comedy’ it really is one for all ages – a masterclass in slapstick, improvisation, comic timing and acting. I have not laughed so much for ages.
Richard Bean’s comedy is based on Carlo Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters. The Italian playwright once said: ‘All my plays I have written for people I knew’ and this is why, perhaps the play resonates with modern audiences.
Francis Henshall (The Man) is played by Gavin Spokes who played with lugubrious energy – increasingly stressed as he deals with the demands of his two guvnors (public school fop Stubbers and ‘Roscoe’ Crabbe, played by Patrick Warner and Alicia Davies).
While this is a truly ensemble piece, the work of Michael Dylan as the ancient waiter Alfie almost stole the show. Class, relationships and the nature of love are explored through this classic farce, which continues a long tradition of comedy and themes stretching down the ages.
‘This is the National Theatre, not bloody panto,’ Henshall chides ‘the man with the hummus sandwich’.
And this classy production made sure we knew it. This is a truly wonderful play that deserves all the plaudits it has so far received.
There is a really useful learning pack on onemantwoguvnors.com, where you can also find details of workshop opportunities, as well as ticket and venue details.