Loft raises the roof with laughter!
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean. Based on the Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni. At The Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa from 15 – 25 July. Directed by Craig Shelton.
Review by Ann Evans
The saying goes that one man can’t serve two masters. Well, Francis Henshall, played fabulously – and hugely energetically by Charlie Longman, attempts to do just that in One Man, Two Guvnors, mainly because two guvnors equates to two wages and he’s skint – and hungry. Very hungry!
It’s 1963 and it’s all happening at small time crook Charlie Clench’s home in Brighton. The story opens at the engagement party of Charlie’s daughter, Pauline, who is not the brightest penny in the till, is described perfectly in this line spoken by her boyfriend: “She is pure, innocent, unspoiled by education, like a new bucket.”
It sounds awful to say that Anna Butcher takes on the role of Pauline brilliantly – but she really does radiate that sweetly oblivious aura about her that’s so likeable. Her boyfriend is melodramatic, wannabe actor, Alan Dangle, played hilariously by Joshua Newby as he takes every movement to its dramatic heights. So funny!
Back to the plot, which gets more complicated by the minute; the man Pauline was going to marry (Roscoe Crabbe) has been killed by upper-class twit, ex public schoolboy Stanley Stubbers (Ted McGowan), who’s in love with dead Roscoe’s identical twin sister Rachel. However, the dead man turns up – actually, it’s his twin sister disguised as him, and the confusion really gets underway. Ted McGowan as Stanley plays his part fabulously too, reminding me a little of Harry Enfield’s Tim-nice-but-dim character.
Francis Henshall is Roscoe/Rachel’s ‘minder’ - sort of, who’s helping Rachel to find her brother’s killer. Little do they know that the man she loves (Stanley) had carried out this deed. (Yes, the twists and turns of this plot grow worse). Francis, who hasn’t eaten for 16 hours will do anything to earn a few quid – he’ll also eat and drink anything, and diving headfirst into a dustbin looking for scraps is nothing to him.
Francis ends up working for Stanley and for Rachel – but the two must not know about each other, although actually, the pair are madly in love with one another. And later in true Romeo and Juliet style, it leads (almost) to a double-death disaster. But that’s a long way ahead. Before all that, there is a hilarious story being rolled out. Fabulous insanely over-the-top acting, and a brilliantly witty script that the actors carry off to perfection.
Hats off to all the cast for their acting and delivering of their lines, which were all wonderfully clear and distinct. Charlie Longman as Francis is superb as he literally throws himself about the stage, talks regularly with the audience – and hilariously involves a few audience members to participate in the craziness actually on stage.
Another character that has to get a mention is Edward Griffiths, who plays Alfie, the doddering old waiter. Please will someone give him an Oscar! Absolutely wonderful – another one of the cast who throws themselves heart and soul into their part – quite literally.
On top of all this there's regular song breaks, with members of the cast performing some great songs of the 1960s - random, delightful and very entertaining.
A great show, really funny, a very witty script and excellent acting. What’s not to like!
Grab your tickets while you can. Tickets are available now via The Loft Theatre’s box office. For booking details and more information, visit www.lofttheatrecompany.com, email boxoffice@lofttheatrecompany.com, or call 01926 830 680 (answer phone service). Tickets priced from £17 to £20. Free tickets for theatregoers aged 16–25 are available by advance email booking or on the night from the Box Office (proof of age required).
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