One Man, Two Guvnors transfer wins over Broadway
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London Theatre Direct
The London cast of the phenomenally well-received National theatre hit, One Man, Two Guvnors have crossed the pond to ensnare US hearts - and it seems to have worked.
Headed by Gavin & Stacey co-creator and star James Cordon as put-upon minder Francis Henshall, the production has been wowing critics and public alike and is expected to have very good word-of-mouth.
Time Out New York said that "this virtuoso banquet of slapstick farce and verbal jousting brings with it a shock revelation: How starved we were for comedy." The reviewer also dubbed the show "gob-smackingly funny". The New York Times critic Ben Brantley called the play "ideal escapism for anxious times" and described Richard Bean's 1960s set adaptation of the 18th century Carlo Gordini comedy The Servant of Two Masters as "inspired…both satanic and seraphic, dirty minded and utterly innocent." Praise for Corden's comic prowess has been unanimous, with the rest of the cast also enjoying highly praised. The Hollywood Reporter says Corden is well-supported by "a razor-sharp ensemble" adding "If you're not having a good time at this show, you may be on the wrong medication."
The show looks set to be the second smash US transfer from the National Theatre, who's Broadway incarnation of their beloved War Horse has had US audiences under the same spell as those in the UK. War Horse has become the highest grossing play on Broadway since it opened and won a string of Tony Awards last year. One Man, Two Guvnors looks poised to repeat this success. The West End show transferred with a new cast including S Club 7's Hannah Spearitt and West End Nancy Jodie Prenger to the Theatre Royal Haymarket after the original cast enjoyed sell-out runs at the National and Adelphi Theatres, and is currently booking until January 2013.