One Man, Two Guvnors has been called “a masterclass in farce, a non-stop romp, and wild and glorious”.
Now this rollicking farce is coming to Coolum, complete with audience participation, as our hero, Francis, does his utmost to find love. And a good meal.
The new show from Coolum Theatre Players, under director Nick Smith, is a fast-paced farce that follows the fortunes of Francis Henshall (Riley Scott), down on his luck, and very, very hungry. Suddenly finding himself in the employ of two bosses, and with the chance of both a meal and of finding love with the fragrant Dolly (Caitie Elliot), Francis uses all his wiles to survive.
His first guvnor is the very alive Rachel Crabbe, disguised as her dead twin, Roscoe (Rose Newton), a revered London gangster who has, apparently, come to Brighton to claim money owed to him by his fiancee’s father, Charlie Clench (Alex Meloni). Roscoe was killed by Rachel’s boyfriend, Stanley (Harvey Wolf), and she needs the money to escape to Australia. Unfortunately for Francis, his second boss is Stanley, who does not know that Rachel is in Brighton and is hiding from the police, waiting to be reunited with her.
To prevent discovery and earn money from both guvnors, Francis must keep Rachel and Stanley apart. To aid him, Francis enlists help from the audience and brings unsuspecting audience members up on to the stage to do his job for him.
Ably supported by a quality cast including James Moir, Lesley Roberts, Jen Francis, and Levi Mann, and with the support of the house band, The Coolum Craze, One Man, Two Guvnors often breaks the fourth wall, and entertains with 1960s pop hits aplenty, including songs by Lennon and McCartney, Bacharach and David and Roy Orbison.
One Man, Two Guvnors will be at Coolum Civic Centre on 5-6 April at 7.30pm, 7 April 7 at 2pm, 12-13 April at 7.30pm and 14 April at 2pm. Table seating of eight and patrons can BYO drinks and nibbles. Tickets $25 for members, $28 concession and $30 for adults, can be purchased online at www.coolumtheatre.com.au or by phone at Clever Girl Productions 0415 421 045.
