Review: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS is Sheer Entertaining Theatricality

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS by Richard Bean is an English adaptation of The Servant of Two Masters, the 1743 Commedia dell'arte play by Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni. Bean has replaced the original Italian setting with 1963 Brighton. It first opened at the National Theatre in 2011, toured the UK and then opened in the West End in November 2011, with a subsequent Broadway opening in April 2012.

The basic premise centers on eternally ravenous Francis Henshall (Martin Burke) who ends up being employed by two men at the same time: Roscoe Crabbe, a local gangster, and Stanley Stubbers (Tyler Jones), an upper class criminal. Francis works frantically at keeping the two from meeting, so that neither finds out that Francis is working for two men at the same time. What no one knows is Roscoe is really Rachel Crabbe (Amy Downing) in disguise. Her twin brother Roscoe was killed by her lover, Stanley Stubbers. Subplots include Pauline Clench (Madison Weinhoffer) who was to marry Roscoe in an arranged marriage by her father Charlie "The Duck" Clench (Michael Stuart) but is planning to elope with amateur actor Alan Dangle (Andre Martin).

All of this is pretty much your basic farce material; however, ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS is not your average farce. It isn't even your average play. What it is, in essence, is a raucous romp that is a delightfully demented mash-up of theatrical styles. What it plays out like is those glorious old TV variety shows of the 60's. It has that same self awareness and uses it to great advantage. There are musical interludes where some of the cast come play instruments with the band. There's a little bit of The Carol Burnett Show, Benny Hill, Monty Python, Vaudeville, Burlesque and Mel Brooks along with two extended passages of improvisation where audience members get recruited into the play, all thrown into the blender on frappe... and what the audience is served is a delicious concoction that is sure to make you forget your cares and the summer heat.

The entertainment starts 40 minutes before curtain as The Craze Band (Luke Linsteadt, Eric Gutierrez, Roger Mason and Zachary Yanez) entertain the audience with a quite fine rendition of an English skiffle band. While the piece is a bit slow to start (darn that exposition) it soon takes off like a rocket once the audience has been told everything it needs to be able to keep up.

Abe Reybold has done a marvelous job keeping the insanity running like a freight train. He has also clearly allowed his cast to fully unpack everything they have in the bag of tricks to sublime effect. Toby Minor is to be commended on the fight and inspired physical comedy direction (much more on Mr. Minor later in this review...). The set features some wonderful forced perspective non realistic backdrops by Court Watson that remind one immediately of Vaudeville and Burlesque. Susan Branch Towne's costumes are colorful, clever and perfectly evocative of early 60's Britain. Serret Jensen has recreated that big hair look of the time period perfectly.

This cast is physical comedy perfection... and a sheer joy to watch. However, there are a few that are so wonderful I feel I need to give them the praise they are so richly due. Martin Burke is perfectly cast in this piece and he absolutely shines here. When he interacts with the audience, he has them eating out of the palm of his hand. Tyler Jones is hilarious as Stanley Stubbens and has a real flair for physical comedy... and who knew he could play the horns...that's correct...horns. Amber Quick, as Dolly, nails the look and persona of the British bad girl. Andre Martin possesses a lanky rubber body that he employs to hilarious effect as the actor Alan Dangle... his physical bits literally brought tears of laughter to my eyes. However, Toby Minor, as Alfie the old waiter, is physical slapstick comedic perfection. His timing and execution produce some of the most sublimely funny physical comedy I have seen in decades. When he is on stage it is impossible not to watch him.

I don't want to spoil the fun for you, and trust me, this is a LOT of fun. ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS will take you back to the days when the belly laugh was king and entertainment was full of variety. You don't want to miss this one, folks.

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS by Richard Bean, Songs by Grant Olding.

Running time: Approximately Two Hours and Fifteen minutes, including intermission.

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS, now playing at Zach Theatre in the Topher Theatre (202 South Lamar Blvd.). June 1, 2016 - June 26, 2016. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 7:30 pm. Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM. Tickets http://tickets.zachtheatre.org/

Photo by Kirk Tuck