Under license from Dramatist Play Service, the Ozark Arts Council is pleased to announce the Northark Drama and Theatre Company of the Ozarks collaboration on Richard Bean’s One Man, Two Guvnors, to be performed at the historic Lyric Theater in Harrison, Arkansas!

In 2011, Mr. Bean (no relation…!) completed a wonderful project of making a modern (well, 1960s, anyway) English adaptation of Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni’s 1743 commedia dell’arte, Il servitore di due padroni (Servant of Two Masters). Both the script itself and the pre-show and interval skiffle concerts, with music and lyrics by Grant Olding, are hilarious.

Please Note: the play itself is not a musical, but it has a couple of short concerts that relate to the subject matter of the play, but without giving anything away. Seriously. (If you’re confused, just buy a ticket; this is how Italian comedy redone by the Brits a few centuries later works. We have all been happier since we determined to just get used to it.)

One Man, Two Guvnors received widespread critical acclaim. For example, this is what the press in England had to say:

▪ The Guardian gave it 5 stars, saying that it was “A triumph of visual and verbal comedy. One of the funniest productions in the National’s history.”

▪ The Daily Telegraph described it as “the feelgood hit of the Summer.”
▪ The Independent wrote that it is a “massive hit” and London’s Evening Standard as “a surefire hit”. Blogging site
▪ Everything Theatre described it as “one of the most side-splittingly hilarious productions ever to be staged in London”.
▪ In fact, the show won Best Play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for 2011.

The Story

In 1963 Brighton, out-of-work skiffle player Francis Henshall (Daniel Seay) becomes separately employed by two men—Roscoe Crabbe (O. Wolfe), a gangster, and Stanley Stubbers (Michael Mahoney), an upper class twit. Francis tries to keep the two from meeting, in order to avoid each of them learning that Francis is also working for someone else.

Complicating events, Roscoe is really Rachel Crabbe (Olivia Wolfe) in disguise, her twin brother Roscoe having been killed by her boyfriend…who is none other than Stanley! Complicating events still further is local mobster Charlie the Duck (Rick Porter), who has arranged his daughter Pauline’s (Rowen Bolonsky) engagement to Roscoe despite her preference for over-the-top amateur actor Alan Dangle (Gavin Wilson). Even further complications are prompted by several letters, a very heavy trunk, several unlucky audience volunteers, an extremely elderly waiter (Preston Garrison), a cast of roughhousers (Wyatt Mahoney, Josiah Reynolds, Isaac Stevens, Jarrett Mann, Billy Dromgoole, Sara Davison) and…Francis’ pursuit of his twin passions: Dolly (Michelle Reynolds), Charlie’s feminist bookkeeper, and food.

Backed up by The Craze—Northern Arkansas’s answer to the UK’s fondness for skiffle in the 1950s and ’60s—One Man, Two Guvnors is one you don’t want to miss!

Please note: Adult language and themes, parental guidance recommended.

The Cast

Francis Henshall — Daniel Seay
Stanley Stubbers — Michael Mahoney
Rachel Crabbe — Olivia Wolfe
Alfie — Preston Garrison
Harry Dangle — Josiah Reynolds
Lloyd Boateng — Isaac Stevens
Pauline Clench — Rowen Bolonsky
Charlie Clench — Rick Porter
Alan Dangle — Gavin Wilson
Dolly Michele — Jewell Reynolds
Gareth — Wyatt Mahoney
Cops — Jarrett Mann, Billy Dromgoole

Ensemble, Old Lady — Sarah Davison
Taxi Driver — Billy Dromgoole
Singers — Callie Johnson, Kt Blessing, Abi Kops

Directors: Rebekah Wilson and Michael Mahoney
Choreographer: Katie Beth Allison
The Craze: Bob Johnson, Abi Kops, James Melton, Curtis Reed, Gray Squires, Eric Stefanski
Stage Manager: Michael Krasowski

GENERAL ADMISSION: $12.00

STUDENTS: $10.00

NORTHARK STUDENTS with NORTHARK COLLEGE ID: $5.00

North Arkansas College in association with
The Theatre Company Presents:
“One Man Two Guvnors”
By
Richard Bean

Adult Language and Themes