Theatre Review: One Man, Two Guvnors - Theatre Royal, Glasgow ✭✭✭✭✭
One Man, Two Guvnors is the perfect antidote to a wet
November night in Glasgow. Bursting with fun, music and laughter, this madcap
adventure is a pop of a sunshine lighting up the Theatre Royal this week. An
unstoppable juggernaut, once the mayhem begins the audience has to get on board
and see where the adventure ends.
Scotland has a long-standing history with theatre without walls and certainly the audience weren't fazed by the characters talking directly to the audience. However, without giving too much away, if you're remotely shy I'd reconsider booking those front row seats!
Based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, it's clear why this National Theatre Production is such a smash hit. Even before the curtain rises, Buddy Holly-esque house band The Craze entertain the audience and create a party atmosphere. In an era where reality TV singing contests receive too much acclaim, it's wonderful to see really talented musicians performing live and they certainly warmed up the audience.
Scotland has a long-standing history with theatre without walls and certainly the audience weren't fazed by the characters talking directly to the audience. However, without giving too much away, if you're remotely shy I'd reconsider booking those front row seats!
Based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, it's clear why this National Theatre Production is such a smash hit. Even before the curtain rises, Buddy Holly-esque house band The Craze entertain the audience and create a party atmosphere. In an era where reality TV singing contests receive too much acclaim, it's wonderful to see really talented musicians performing live and they certainly warmed up the audience.
Rufus Hound is a joy as Francis Henshall creating a lovable character that the audience easily identifies with and wills to succeed in his endeavours to get the girl. His scheming and plotting as he strives to keep his two guvnors secret from each other for his own personal gain echoes that of other loveable rogue Del Boy Trotter and provides some wonderful belly laugh moments. As Francis’s love interest Dolly, Amy Booth-Steel is a perfect foil as a woman of the world and her stage whisper moments with the audience inject a bit of girl power. The entire cast are laudable and Peter Caulfield is incredible as doddering waiter Alfie displaying comic timing and dexterity that is almost unbelievable.
In the credit
crunch with newspapers full of negativity, there is little to laugh about and this production is perfectly timed
to chase away the winter blues and bring a little sunshine and happiness to the
dark winter days. It’s a night out that will ensure you leave the theatre with
a smile on your face and still chuckle about days later.
One Man, Two Guvnors is at the Theatre
Royal, Glasgow until 17th November. For more information and tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/Glasgow
