Welcome to One Man, Two Guvnors!
When this show opened in New York in 2012, I knew that it needed to appear on the Suffield stage. It is incredibly entertaining! The show is designed to engage the audience and provide them with an evening of laughs and good music. It challenges the actors and musicians, showcasing their comic timing and improvisational skills.
This style of show is similiar to commedia dell’arte which is shortened from ‘commedia dell’arte all’improviso’, meaning ‘comedy through the art/craft of improvisation’. Commedia originated in Italy in the mid-16th century with companies consisting of ten or so touring players, often playing improvised outdoor venues. The actors specialized in playing particular stock characters and wore masks depicting these personalities.
There were no written scripts in commedia; companies improvised their shows along predetermined plot scenarios, knowing the rough structure of the narrative. Each actor knew where their character’s story began and concluded, and therefore the various plot-points they needed to hit in order to complete their character’s journey. They memorized speeches, songs, poems and sections of dialogue so they could recall them on stage as necessary. Commedia also had roots in the art of wandering entertainers, who performed a mix of acrobatics, songs and audience interaction.
One Man, Two Guvnors is an adaptation of The Servant of Two Masters. The production incorporates elements of variety, music hall, pantomime, stand-up comedy, and end-of-the-pier shows; all of which, in varying degrees, owe something to the genre of commedia.
I am proud of the work that has been created in this production. This shows requires all performers to think on their feet. I applaud all their work and hope that you enjoy tonight's performance.
Best,
Thomas Dugan
