The Uproarious
One Man, Two Guvnors!
April 27–29 at 7:00PM — April 30 at 2:00PM
May 4–6 at 7:00PM — May 7 at 2:00PM
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.
When the play came to the Unites States, Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune said that he enjoyed it at its opening, but that the flaw in the performance was in the actors trying to push the comedy, when the comedy was already there. He writes:
Those flaws I mentioned, though, come mostly from not trusting the simple truth of the material — I know, “truth” sounds out of context here, but believability still is the foundation for physical comedy.
One of the great things often noted about directors Bekah Wilson and Michael Mahoney is their dedication to “letting the text speak,” having the plot live through the characters and the characters live through the actors…rehearsing to the point that the words and actions of the characters are natural to the cast.
Says Co-Director Rebekah Wilson:
I was lucky enough to see the Broadway tour of this show a few years back and I fell in love with it. I have never laughed so hard at any show. I also thought it was one of the most difficult shows I had ever seen and someone would have to be crazy to try to direct it at a community theater. Obviously, I happen to be one of those crazies…[the cast has] worked incredibly hard, giving it absolutely their whole hearts. This cast has committed from day one to me and this project and I couldn’t be more proud and excited for them and for our community to see what they have accomplished. Don’t miss out on this one guys. I desperately want to share this unique and hilarious bit of Broadway with our hometown.
Co-Director Michael Mahoney wholeheartedly agrees:
Working on this show has been another blessing and challenge in the theatre. I feel the same way as my dear friend and directing partner Bekah Wilson…It is a very challenging and yet hilarious script. The humor is so deep and rich and yet the level of focus and realistic aspects must be present for this show to work. The cast and crew have grown together in their commitment and dedication to making the production a reality for our community. I am honored to be onstage with all of them.
For great comedy well done, you cannot beat One Man, Two Guvnors!
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
