ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS

Director's Notes

Welcome to One Man, Two Guvnors.

Richard Bean’s brilliantly anarchic comedy is a modern adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s eighteenth-century masterpiece A Servant of Two Masters, itself rooted firmly in the rich traditions of Commedia dell’arte; indeed, it was the first ever scripted piece of the art form, all prior work was entirely improvised. Emerging in sixteenth-century Italy, Commedia was built around larger-than-life stock characters, mistaken identities, physical comedy, improvisation and the joyful chaos that unfolds when clever servants, pompous masters and ambitious lovers collide. Those traditions remain at the heart of this play, even as Bean transports the action to the vibrant world of 1960’s Brighton (in fact all of this evenings music was a hit in the UK charts in 1963).

At its centre is Francis Henshall, a man with an enormous appetite and an even greater talent for finding himself in impossible situations. Taking on two jobs without either employer knowing about the other seems like a sensible way to earn a little extra money—until the lies begin to unravel in spectacular fashion. What follows is a whirlwind of misunderstandings, disguises, slapstick, romance and sheer theatrical mayhem.

Bringing this production to life has been an absolute joy. The rehearsal room has been filled with energy, creativity and, above all, laughter. Comedy only works when a company trusts one another completely, and this cast has embraced every pratfall, every double take and every ridiculous twist with generosity and commitment. There have been countless moments where rehearsals have ground to a halt because nobody could keep a straight face, and some of those spontaneous discoveries have found their way into the performance.

Comedy demands extraordinary precision. Behind every seemingly effortless gag lies careful timing, discipline and teamwork. This company has risen to that challenge magnificently. They are truly at the top of their game, throwing themselves utterly into the physicality, pace and spirit of the production while never losing sight of the heart that sits beneath the humour.

One of the importances of theatre is that it is a live medium, about bringing people together, and One Man, Two Guvnors celebrates exactly that. It reminds us that laughter is contagious, mistakes can lead to wonderful discoveries, and sometimes the most entertaining moments come when everything appears to be falling gloriously apart.

I wholeheartedly thank the cast and crew for fully buying into the vision.

We hope that you enjoy this evening, we hope you laugh loudly, enjoy the chaos, and leave the theatre with a smile on your face.

CRAIG SHELTON: DIRECTOR