Stage: Singing success
It was a seasonal hit for the Theatre Royal Brighton – catch One Man, Two Guvnors whilst you still can …
When it comes to local theatre, it’s not all about looking forward to the next big thing; sometimes it’s about taking time to look back and appreciate an unprecedented success. We’ve one show in paticular in mind – One Man, Two Guvnors was a resounding seasonal hit for the Theatre Royal Brighton.
The venue is celebrating one of its most successful Christmas seasons ever, with the announcement that almost 18,000 people saw the Theatre’s Christmas show, the National Theatre’s production of One Man, Two Guvnors throughout the recent three week run, which ended last weekend. Over a third of the audience were attending the Theatre for the first time.
One Man, Two Guvnors played to packed houses throughout the run, winning praise from audiences and rave reviews from critics.
Nicholas Hytner’s five star production, which is set in Brighton in the 1960s, tells the hilarious story of Francis Henshall who, fired from his skiffle band, becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe. But ‘Roscoe’ is really ‘Rachel’, posing as her own dead brother – who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers. Francis spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a job with one Stanley Stubbers – but to prevent discovery, he must keep his two guvnors apart.
One Man, Two Guvnors continued the Theatre Royal Brighton’s tradition of staging a top West End show at Christmas. Recent productions have included Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Rocky Horror Show and Spamalot.
Chris Harper, Managing Director of National Theatre Productions, commented: “One Man, Two Guvnors is set in Brighton, which made it the perfect show in the perfect venue. We are delighted that Brighton audiences agreed … and made it a box office hit!”
The show will continue its tour of UK venues until the end of March 2015.
To book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/brighton or call 0844 871 7650 (booking fee applies)
New Venture Theatre
New Venture Theatre’s production of The Private Ear & Black Comedy is a double bill of classic 1960s comedy by Sir Peter Shaffer, and runs from 20 – 28 February 2015. The award-winning playwright is famous for such plays and adaptations as Amadeus and Equus. The Private Ear & Black Comedy are two hilarious plays which form a natural pair, each hinging in turn on the importance of sound and light.
The Private Ear, directed by Dan Walker, is a play of socially awkward comedy. Classical musical enthusiast Bob has a big date with Doreen, the Perfect Woman. Not knowing much about entertaining, he has invited ladies’ man Ted along to act as cook and moral support – an unusual move to be sure. What could possibly go wrong?
Black Comedy is directed (appropriately) by Ian Black. Brindsley is a poor sculptor who hopes to sell some of his work to a millionaire art collector; he also intends to ask his fiancée Carol’s father for her hand in marriage. He has borrowed, without permission, some of his neighbour’s antique furniture in an attempt to impress. The evening is set, but is marred by some unexpected visitors.
The Private Ear & Black Comedy, New Venture Theatre, Fri 20 – Sat 28 Feb 2015, 7.45pm (no Mon or Sun evenings), matinee performance Sun 7 Feb at 2.30pm. For tickets or further details, visit www.newventure.org.uk or call Box Office Information on 01273 746118
