One Man, Two Guvnors at Illinois State University

One Man, Two Guvnors delighted both critics and audiences during its hugely popular debut at UK’s National Theatre and its subsequent productions in London’s West End and on Broadway in 2011 and 2012. Adapted by playwright Richard Bean from a 1743 Commedia dell’arte farce and set in the British resort town of Brighton during the Swinging ’60s, the manic plot centers on an out-of-work musician named Francis Henshall who becomes a bodyguard-minder to Roscoe Crabbe, a petty East End crook. Little does he know that “Roscoe” is actually his own sister, Rachel, now masquerading as her dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend, Stanley Stubbers. To complicate matters even more, when the perpetually ravenous Francis sees the chance for an extra meal ticket, he takes on a second job with Stanley, who is hiding out from the police and waiting to be reunited with Rachel. To prevent discovery, Francis must keep his “two guvnors” apart, an increasingly difficult predicament resulting in comic mayhem.

Authors

• Carlo Goldoni
• Richard Bean