Film & Theatre, Reviews | Posted on October 1st, 2024 | return to news
One Man, Two Guvnors
Revive Theatre, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
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.
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