Thursday, April 19, 2012

One Man Two Guvnors Opens on Broadway

The Broadway production of One Man, Two Guvnors, imported from London and adapted from the commedia dell'arte farce A Servant of Two Masters, opened last night on Broadway.  The reviews are in and are fantastic.  I won't bother trying to describe the plot -- with a farce, it's too hard to do -- but director Nicholas Hytner's production and its leading man, James Cordon, are among the funniest things in recent memory, according to Variety.  Variety Magazine's review stated "Aided by physical theater expert and associate director Cal McCrystal, director Nicholas Hytner expertly harnesses that comedy energy to build a tight, towering succession of character shtick, sight gags, slapstick and chase sequences unseen since Noises Off."  Ben Brantley of the New York Times seconded that feeling in his review, saying "It's a rich, slow-spreading smile, like butter melting in a skillet over a low flame.  And whenever it creeps across James Corden's face ... you know two things for sure: You're in for trouble, and you're already hooked.  Struggle as you will, there ain't nothing you can do about it."  Brantley continues, "This production never justifies that sinking sensation that arrives when I hear the words 'British comedy.'"  Probably not a contender for best play, One Man, Two Guvnors IS in the running for nominations for director and lead actor come the Tony nominations May 1st.

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