Upton Theatre Group had a very enjoyable evening at the New Theatre Oxford on Tuesday 24 February watching the National Theatre Touring Production of ‘One Man Two Guv’nors’
The Show originally featured James Corden in the London Production and is now very ably led by Gavin Spokes in the Lead Role as Francis Henshall who, when fired from his skiffle band, becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe. However, Roscoe is really Rachel, posing as her own dead brother, who has been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers
The show is a brilliantly funny classic British farce with all the usual constituents of slapstick humour, immaculate timing of ‘inevitable events’, with some excellent supporting roles from Shaun Williamson and Emma Barton from East Enders and in our show some very well crafted ad-libbing from Gavin Spokes about food from the audience!!
The Production is wonderfully supported by the live skiffle band ‘The Craze’ who are all dressed in early 1960s maroon suits with thin black ties, quiffs and ‘Buddy Holly’ glasses, and who entertained the Audience pre-show and at Interval as well as making a key contribution to the performance overall where all the cast at one stage or another joined in
The audience were at times besides themselves with laughter even though ‘farce’ by its very nature is predictable. The pantomime effect of the ad-libbing encouraged one of our own gathering even to call out the immortal line, ‘ Oh yes it is!’.
The reviews say the show is so good and consistent that it’s funny every night and based on our experience I would certainly agree – do go and see it if you can!
Lesley Shaw