“HADDOCK, CHIPS AND MUSHY PEAS”

One Man, Two Guvnors

“Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall (James Corden) becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe (Jemima Rooper), a small time East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6,000 from his fiancee’s dad. But Roscoe is really his sister Rachel posing as her own dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers (Oliver Chris).

Holed up at The Cricketers’ Arms, the permanently ravenous Francis spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a second job with one Stanley Stubbers, who is hiding from the police and waiting to be re-united with Rachel. To prevent discovery, Francis must keep his two guvnors apart. Simple.” Source - http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/66256/productions/one-man-two-guvnors.html

Having seen it just last night I would go again in an instant. It was a hilariously funny play with over-accentuation of characters in a pantomime/slapstick style and with at least one joke to make your sides split. At first, there is a lot of excitement over James Corden being on stage, however over the course of the story there is a deep appreciation for the acting of every character in the production. A must see. 

The set design was effective, colourful and very stylized. Being set in 1963 the interior scenes had a backdrop of wallpaper that contained bold print designs typical of 60’s fabrics such as the work of Lucienne Day (1917-2010). The exterior scenes, which occurred outside ‘The Cricketers’ pub within the streets of Brighton, had three levels, meaning three entrances and exits on both sides adding much more depth to the stage.

Lucienne Day, Print (1966)

Interior of "The Cricketer's Pub"

The costume was kept within the period where the men wore suits and the woman in floral prints and big hair. Corden was wearing a three-piece tweed suit with trousers much too short (ankle swingers) and a smart comb over, perfect for his character. The best costume however was for the transformation of a young actor called Tom Edden into an 84 year old, deaf waiter with heart problems and a dodgy pacemaker called Alfie. He was dressed in a typical white jacket, black trousers, shirt and bow tie with wispy white hair and what appeared to be a glass eye.

James Corden as 'Francis Henshall'

Tom Edden (playing 'Alfie' below)

One of the most convincing characters (Alfie, played by Tom Edden)

The music was a large part of the production, used for both entertainment as well as a practical factor. There was a main band called “The Craze”, dressed in tailored purple suits singing comical lyrics in a 50’s rock and roll style, reminiscent of the pioneer Buddy Holly. The curtain would come down and the band would play while the set behind would change again. A number of times other characters would come on and join in with the band bringing their own character to the music. Corden contributed on the xylophone, Lloyd (Trevor Laird) on Caribbean steel drums and Alan (Daniel Rigby) with some sore-looking chest slapping.

The Craze - Benjamin Brooker (Drums), Richard Coughlan (Bass), Philip James (Guitar)

and Grant Olding (Guitar)

BUDDY HOLLY

Grant Olding (Music)

Quotes

Francis Henshall (James Corden)

“There’s so much tossing a man can do”

Stanley Stubbers (Oliver Chris)

“I never understood physics. I spent every lesson in the radiation cupboard trying to make my penis glow.”

Charlie ‘the duck’ Clench (Fred Ridgeway)

“Love passes through marriage like shit through a small dog” 

From left: Dolly (Suzie Toase), Francis Henshall (James Corden), Pauline Clench (Claire Lams), Stanley Stubbers (Oliver Chris), Rachel/Roscoe Crabb (Jemima Rooper), Alan Dangle (Daniel Rigby), Lloyd Boateng (Trevor Laird), Harry Dangle (Martyn Ellis) and Charlie 'the duck' Clench (Fred Ridgeway)