NK Theatre Arts delivers a side-splitting performance of Richard Bean’s adaptation, transporting audiences to 1960s Brighton with impeccable timing, laughs and standout performances from the entire cast.
After a week that included attending a disappointing Manchester derby at Old Trafford, between United and City, and me playing my first two, tough, crown green bowls matches as well as all the ups and downs of general life, what I needed was a laugh and I got it in spades in Romiley on Thursday evening.
The brilliant NK Theatre Arts performed the comedy play One Man Two Guvnors. The origins of the piece date back to the 18th century and it was originally created by Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni. It was later adapted by Richard Bean and set in 1960s Brighton. It has the feel of a Whitehall farce, a slapstick, silly comedy. The sort made famous by Brian Rix back in the 1960s. The modern equivalent might be the highly successful West End and Broadway shows created by Mischief, such as the Play that Goes Wrong which has been selling out in London for more than a decade.
NK Theatre arts have earned a reputation as being one of the very best AM/Dram societies in the country and it certainly came shining through in this brilliant production. Darren Stannage, as Francis, certainly had tough shoes to fill, as Gavin and Stacey star James Corden debuted the character at the National Theatre in 2011 and was also on the first UK tour which visited the Lowry in Salford. Stannage was outstanding. His interactions with the audience were a particular highlight.
Not one actor, in the ten-strong cast, dipped below the standard he set. The laughs were constant, the timing was spot on and there were even songs dotted throughout the show. I particularly enjoyed singing along, which was encouraged, to Glad All Over, though I actually sang, “Guardiola” (It’s been adopted by Manchester City fans to sing at games). Alongside me was my 81-year-old friend John, who never stopped laughing throughout. I’d never seen the show before and he told me it would be good.
John had seen Corden in the Lowry production and I was a little worried that the Am/Dram version might disappoint him, but it didn’t. He told me, as we drove back to Oldham, that the performance we’d just seen was just as good. I think that’s the highest praise he could have given it.
I could sing the praises of any one of the cast, but Kat Bond as Roscoe/Rachel was brilliant and pulled of the dual roles superbly. Her characterisation of the male half of the twins was so good it took a while for me to twig that it was her, despite the fact I interviewed her for my radio show, Break-a-Leg, in the build-up to the show. I must also give a mention to Steve Norman who played Alfie and other characters. His physical comedy had everyone in hysterics.