Heritage Theatre Festival

Culbreth Theatre

July 23 – August 2, 2014

Directed by:  Robert Chapel

Scenic Designer:  Brian Barker

Costume Designer:  Dorothy Smith

Lighting Designer:  R. Lee Kennedy

 

 

A modern spin on the servant of two masters idea, One Man, Two Guv’nors places the story in England in the 1960s, punctuating it with hilarious physical comedy and peppy British ‘skiffle band’ music.  A play with music, the story centers around Francis who ends up being employed by two people working in contrast to each other.  Francis makes a mad dash to keep the two from finding out, while also pursuing his own interests.

 

This play features several crossing storylines, where characters are either in disguise or have connections to other characters in humorous ways. The physical comedy is high, with Francis trying desperately to coordinate a fancy dinner with both of his masters in separate rooms of the same location.  A poor audience member gets drenched in fire foam, and an incredibly old waiter takes tumbles down the stairs.

 

For this production, the physical comedy and the performers needed to be the focus.  There was less importance on environmental sound, with the exception of poor souls jumping off the ocean dock in a humorous suicide attempt.  Given the upbeat pace of the piece and the exaggeration of some of the moments, such situational effects took an over-the-top bright approach.  The splash was more funny than real, and the moments were peppered with comedic punctuation.

 

Since this is a play with music, there would normally be a skiffle band that would play during the scenic transitions.  The play is supplied with the recorded music, and I was given the freedom to select songs appropriate for the transitions.  Timing the music out so that the energy and the lyrics would provide the proper punctuation on the transitions was important.

 

The cast does sing a final song, that would ordinarily be accompanied by the skiffle band.  Utilizing virtual instruments, I was able to recreate the accompaniment of the song and configure the sound system so that the cast could follow along.  Recreating the sound of a skiffle band was a fun and interesting challenge, and it came together well.