The Guvnors are coming!
Captivate venture into theatre outwith the Fringe
Local amateur Edinburgh fringe favourites Captivate Theatre are stepping out from the comfort of fringe audiences to bring their version of One Man, Two Guvnors, to the Brunton, Musselburgh for two nights only on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 March.
The company has earned considerable popular – and critical – success for its productions of musicals during the Fringe thanks largely to its EdFringe summer schools and a commitment to clear, fluid and energetic direction – combined with minimal staging and a powerful visual style.
One Man, Two Guvnors…
Now, artistic director Sally Lyall is returning to her theatrical roots with Richard Bean’s hilarious take on the Goldoni classic, which was a smash hit for the English National Theatre, going on to became a West End and Broadway hit starring James Corden.
“My background is theatre rather than Musical Theatre and I would love to do more plays,” Lyall told All Edinburgh Theatre.
To this end she has assembled a top cast of local amateur talent, many of whom will be familiar to fans of the company from their performances during the Fringe.
Scott Coltman will be playing the One Man of the title – Francis Henshall, who has been fired from his skiffle band and got a job as a minder to his first guvnor: Roscoe Crabbe, a small time East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6,000 from his fiancée’s dad.
Georgia-Lee Roberts plays Roscoe – who in reality is his sister, Rachel posing as her own dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers.
Chaos reigns
Holed up at The Cricketers’ Arms, the permanently ravenous Francis spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a second job with a second Guvnor (played by John Knox) who is, of course, one Stanley Stubbers – hiding from the police and waiting to be re-united with Rachel.
To prevent discovery of his own deceptions Francis must keep his two guvnors apart. The trouble is that Francis Henshall is easily confused… Chaos reigns as he tries to stop his two guvnors from meeting each other.
Set in Brighton in the 1960s, the play features plenty of music from the period – for which Hazel Beattie will on vocals with Fraser Hume on piano. Craig Lowe, Sally Cairns, Les Fulton, Frankie O’Connor, Dannielle Logan, Sandy Queenan and Charlie Munro add the full pallet of supporting roles.
“Captivate is a local company that brings together local actors, musicians and performers from across Edinburgh and beyond and offers opportunity for all ages,” says Sally Lyall. “This is our first play outwith the fringe and what a fantastic play it is. The cast is extremely talented and I guarantee a hilarious night at the theatre.”
A spokesperson for the Brunton adds: “We are thrilled Captivate Theatre is bringing this exciting new production of Richard Bean’s hilarious play to The Brunton. We are proud to be championing the best of local theatre this season and are looking forward to another great production by one of Edinburgh’s best amateur companies.”
Listing
One Man, Two Guvnors
The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA
Friday 11/Saturday 12 March 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
