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Revel in this 1960s-era comedy; “One Man, Two Guvnors” on GREAT PERFORMANCES; Friday, Nov. 6 at 9 pm


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Fourth Annual Great Performances “Broadway’s Best” Lineup Kicks Off with Hit Comedy

“One Man, Two Guvnors” Starring James Corden

 The Tony Award-winning comedy premieres Friday, November 6 at 9 p.m. on PBS, pbs.org/broadwayonpbs and the PBS Video app

 

James Corden in ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS at The National Theatre, 2011
James Corden in ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS at The National Theatre, 2011
ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS by Bean, , Author – Richard Bean, Director – Nicholas Hytner, Designer – Mark Thompson
, Lighting – Mark Henderson, The National Theatre, 2011, Credit: Johan Persson/

Starring CBS’ “The Late Late Show” host James Corden in his Tony Award-winning role, One Man, Two Guvnors delighted both critics and audiences during its hugely popular debut at UK’s National Theatre and its subsequent productions in London’s West End and on Broadway in 2011 and 2012. Adapted by playwright Richard Bean from a 1743 Commedia dell’arte farce and set in the British resort town of Brighton during the Swinging ’60s, the manic plot centers on an out-of-work musician named Francis Henshall (Corden) who becomes a bodyguard-minder to Roscoe Crabbe, a petty East End crook. Little does he know that “Roscoe” is actually his own sister, Rachel, now masquerading as her dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend, Stanley Stubbers. To complicate matters even more, when the perpetually ravenous Francis sees the chance for an extra meal ticket, he takes on a second job with Stanley, who is hiding out from the police and waiting to be reunited with Rachel. To prevent discovery, Francis must keep his “two guvnors” apart, an increasingly difficult predicament resulting in comic mayhem, and providing Corden with the opportunity for a series of spectacular sight gags and pratfalls. Great Performances: One Man, Two Guvnors premieres Friday, November 6 at 9 p.m. on PBS, pbs.org/broadwayonpbs and the PBS Video app.

Notable Talent

  • James Corden, Tony-winning actor, host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show”
  • Tom Edden, Tony-nominated for his performance as Alfie
  • Richard Bean, playwright
  • Grant Olding, Tony-nominated composer
  • Nicholas Hytner, two-time Tony-winning director
  • David Horn, Executive Producer of Great Performances
Claire Lams, Jemima Rooper and Suzie Toase in ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS at The National Theatre, 2011
Claire Lams, Jemima Rooper and Suzie Toase in ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS at The National Theatre, 2011

Noteworthy Facts

  • One Man, Two Guvnors originally opened at the National Theatre in 2011, with a West End opening later that same year, before moving to Broadway in April 2012.
  • The play features original songs performed by “The Craze” in a jazzy “skiffle” style with improvised instruments, including washboard and spoons. The band was led by Grant Olding, who also composed the music and plays guitar in the show.