THEATRE REVIEW: One Man, Two Guvnors

The riotously funny show, which was brought to Nottingham’s Theatre Royal by the National Theatre last week, is like a pantomime for grown-ups: it’s full of slap-stick comedy, double entendres, sparkling word play and audience participation.

Based on the classic Italian comedy The Servant of Two Masters, Richard Bean’s version is set in Brighton in 1963 and has lashings of British ‘end of the pier’ humour.

It follows Francis Henshall, played by Rufus Hound, who thinks he can make a quick buck by working as a minder to two small-time criminals - but this means he has to go to extreme lengths to keep them apart.

All the cast members executed their parts brilliantly but it is fair to say that Hound stole the show with his superb comic timing and natural ability to improvise.

At one point, reacting to something an audience member has said, Hound laughs uncontrollably and we just couldn’t help but join in.

The set design was perfectly conceived and a special mention must also go to the skiffle band who evoked the era perfectly.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I have seen something at the theatre which made me laugh so much.

Review by Catherine Allen