Artistic Director - richard@revivetheatre.co.uk
Technical Director - dean@revivetheatre.co.uk
One Man Two Guvnor's - Dorset View Review
Review by Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk
Manic – but very funny – this production directed by Richard Batt provided all the elements that make for good theatre, not to mention a thoroughly good night out.
Set in 1963 Brighton, the story follows the misadventures of Francis Henshall, a hapless, easily confused but ever-hungry individual, who finds himself simultaneously employed by two eccentric bosses, each with their own agendas.
It was inspired to cast Jamie Riding in the role of Henshall. A professional actor, puppeteer, family entertainer and panto dame, he not only gelled well with the other talented members of the cast, he also got the audience on his side – and onto the stage!
Annabel Worsfold had to portray both Rachel and Roscoe and this she did with plenty of pzazz. Dean Rawson, who is also the technical director of Revive Theatre, encapsulated the upper-class twit, whilst Tobias Batt went delightfully over the top as amateur actor Alan Dangle.
How Chris Stowe didn’t seriously injure himself as the elderly Alfie, I can’t imagine, as his falls were spectacular.
There were also faultless performances from Sean Beaumont as mobster Charlie the Duck, Louise Land as Pauline, Adrian Lane as Harry, Simon Meredith as Lloyd. Libby Russell as Dolly, Lewis Baines as Gareth ad Ben May as the policeman and cabbie.
And adding to the entertainment were the band who played 60s numbers at the scene changes – Christopher Rogers, Alex Clark, Ben May and Tobias Batt.
The theatre company will be back at the Tivoli next September with ‘The 39 Steps’, which promises to be a hilarious adaptation of the Hitchcock Classic. Put it in your diary now.
In the meantime, if you missed the Wimborne production, you can see this excellent play at Bridport Electric Palace on 4 and 5 October and at the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage on 11 and 12 October.
DORSET THEATRE REVIEWS
ONE MAN TWO GUVNOR'S – REVIVE THEATRE – THE TIVOLI – WIMBORNE – 28.9.24
This is a play by Richard Bean, an English adaptation of Servant of Two Masters,
a 1746 play by the Italian playwright, Carlo Goldoni. The play replaces the Italian
period setting of the original with Brighton in 1963.
One Man Two Guvnor's is a comedy that takes the audience on a mad cap journey
through mistaken identities and hilarious misunderstandings. To achieve all this the
cast must be not only excellent but have superb timing. So, did this cast achieve all
this? Well, yes most definitely. This was a first-rate production which delighted us in
controlled chaos of the highest order.
I usually take notes throughout the play but I was laughing so much this was just
impossible.
I cannot praise enough the cast, the band (Christopher Rogers, Alex Clark, Ben
May and Tobias Batt)) who delighted us with the opening number of ‘Hound Dog’
and continued during the scene changes, and the excellent direction by Richard
Batt.
The cast were:- Dean Rawson (Stanley Stubbers) I loved his silly antics, Annabel
Worsfold (Rachel/Roscoe Crabb) a good portrayal of a difficult part, Sean
Beaumont (Charlie ‘The Duck’ Clench) an excellent performance, Louise Lane
(Pauline Clench) just right for the part, Tobias Batt (Alan Dangle) loved, loved
loved, Adrian Lane (Harry Dnagle) truly pompous, Simon Meredith (Lloyd Boat)
just right, Chris Stowe (Alfie) I hope he has not hurt himself, very funny, Libby
Russell (Dolly) a supberb portrayal, Lewis Baines (Gareth) good, Ben May
(Policeman/Cabbie) good.
Every one of them was perfect but of course I have to talk about he who was
second to none, I cannot give him enough accolades, what a performance, WOW,
WOW, WOW! Well done James Riding (Francis Henshall).
If you are reading this and have not seen this play then please make sure you get
a ticket to a further performance as you will not see anything as good as this to
grace the West End Stage.
Further performances are:-
Electric Palace Theatre, Bridport: October 4th, 2024 at 7.30 pm | October 5th, 2024 at 2.30
pm and 7.30 pm.
Mowlem Theatre, Swanage: October 11th, 2024 at 7.30 pm | October 12th, 2024 at 7.30 pm.
Lyn Richell
