One Man, Two Guvnors

Comedy

Haymarket Theatre Royal

Until Sat Mar 1 2014

One Man, Two Guvnors

Johann Persson

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Time Out says

Wed Mar 14 2012

Appropriately enough, things have gone a bit end of the pier at the National Theatre’s Brighton-set West End hit.

Almost two years after Richard Bean’s lovingly Anglicised reworking of Goldoni’s classic farce ‘The Servant of Two Masters’ premiered at the Lyttelton, James Corden and the superb original cast are a distant memory. So too is Owain Arthur – Corden’s successor in the role of hapless goon Francis Henshall – and the show’s great second ensemble, who are currently off enjoying a tour of the Pacific Rim.

The show’s third official lead, then, is comedian Rufus Hound. An impish figure, he know how to work a crowd and has the bulky Francis’s improbably lithe physicality down pat. But he’s not really an actor: Hound is well spoken, and so, improbably, is his dimwit busker turned thug-for-hire Francis. And while Hound gets big laughs in the audience interaction sections, he almost has too much fun, a stand up slipping into his comfortable routine, not an actor surprisingly breaking the fourth wall.

The rest of the cast vary in quality: most are verbally dextrous enough to handle the precision-tooled silliness of Bean’s arch dialogue, but very few of them have the exaggerated physicality required to really bring the ’60s-set play’s roster of gangsters, oddballs and semi-grotesques to life.

It is still funny, and the loving details of Nicholas Hytner’s original production – notably the musical interludes by skiffle band ‘The Craze’ – remain charming as ever. But without a first rate ensemble it’s not the show it was even six months ago. Ticket sales will determine its fate, but it would probably be the right thing, artistically, to let it close with dignity at the end of its current booking period. Andrzej Lukowski

8

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Venue details

MAP

Name:
Haymarket Theatre Royal
Address:
Haymarket Theatre Royal 18 Suffolk Street
London
SW1Y 4HT

Phone:
0845 481 1870
Website:
www.trh.co.uk
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Haymarket Theatre Royal
  - 18 Suffolk Street
    London
    SW1Y 4HT
  - 0845 481 1870
  - www.trh.co.uk
  - 51.508832,-0.131243

Event phone:
0845 481 1870
Event website:
www.trh.co.uk

Categories:
Comedy

One Man, Two Guvnors 2013 - 2014

May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr

Date Time Price information
Thu May 23

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 30mins
Buy tickets
Fri May 24

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 30mins
Buy tickets
Sat May 25

14:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 30mins
Buy tickets

19:30
Mon May 27

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 30mins
Buy tickets
Tue May 28

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 30mins
Buy tickets
Wed May 29

14:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 30mins
Buy tickets

19:30
Thu May 30

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 30mins
Buy tickets
Fri May 31

19:30

£15-£85. Runs 2hrs 30mins
Buy tickets

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Comments & ratings

(10 ratings)

Andrzej Lukowski' review is a good one and more than fair to the play. None of the current cast have the stage presence to carry the play and the musical interludes by "The Craze" are actually quite dull. If you like The only way is Essex you should enjoy this, but if you don't, the best way to enjoy this is to lower your expectations significantly, otherwise you will come out very disappointed and be surprised that it is only just after 10.00 p.m. For me, this did not give a night in much of a run for its money.

Robert Sun Mar 3
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Took husband to see this as Fun Valentine's treat. Not disappointed. Rufus Hound brilliant as Henshall and stooges from audience highly entertaining.

Follers Sun Feb 17
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Took my husband to see this as fun Valentine's treat. We were not disappointed. Rufous Hound brilliant as Henshall...stooges from audience also hilarious

Follers Sun Feb 17
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A brilliant cast, hilarious script and one of the BEST shows I've ever ever seen in London!

Kirsty Wed Nov 7 2012
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An excellent cast, a hilarious script and great music. I have never laughed as much in the theatre. A real treat.

Chris Fri Oct 5 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Agree with last poster. I was there tonight (Aug 30) and left halfway as well. I know comedy is subjective, but this is puerile. Which, I guess, means it will be popular. And what was with dragging that girl from the audience, only to douse her head to foot in fire extinguisher foam?! I presume they had her prior consent - I'd consider that assault.

Caroline Fri Aug 31 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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Absolute rubbish strung together to make more rubbish - left halfway.......

posner Thu Aug 30 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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Better than the last cast. Owain Arthur and his team have created a hilarious show with real theatrical presence and much greater clarity of diction and voice projection.

Robert Ferrier Thu Mar 15 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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