One Man, Two Guvnors

Papakura Theatre Company are well known for producing plays. They have a foyer full of theatre awards for them. Their forte is for comedy.

One Man, Two Guvnors is based on The Servant of Two Master, a comedy by the Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni written in 1746.

The action in One Man, Two Guvnors is now set in 1963, where unemployed Francis Henshaw who has been sacked from his job, ever the opportunist finds himself with two jobs, both serving bosses who are running from the law. While the two bosses know each other very well indeed, Francis does not know that and with Francis trying to multitask, keeping himself from getting terribly confused, chaotic comedy ensues.

This work is a true ensemble piece with 13 in the cast who are called upon to deliver lines and stunts with lighting speed and impeccable timing.

With a few opening night speed bumps in Act One, Act Two was where this opening night cast found their stride and really showed the audience how much fun they were having.

Martin Strange as Francis Henshaw returns to the stage after a ten-year absence. He plays confused and bewildered very well indeed.

Daniel Robinson as Stanley Stubbers is successfully insufferable and his love interest Rachel Crabbe (or is that Roscoe Crabbe) is great fun, alternating between the gangster and the girlfriend.

Marie Parker as Dolly is a treat. A less seasoned performer could upstage everyone in this play. But Marie is rivetingon stage and is a master of understatement.

Deon Visagie is Alan Dangle. Playing an over the top, very emotional, method actor character can get out of hand. Deon paced it extremely well and has great comic timing.

A great deal of the physical fall guy humour fell to Tim Biggs as Alfie. Tim plays Alfie with almost balletic skill and is very funny to boot.

Louise Parker as Pauline and Bob McCauley as Charlie Clench were perfectly placed in the sixties, offering very confident performances as the night progressed.

The set design by Allan Wyatt and Dave Parker was both beautifully designed and built.

A few obvious first night nerves did not detract from this performance at all, and with the audience response in Act One, Act two rocked along with much improved confidence and timing.

Get along for a good laugh.

Pauline Vella