'One Man, Two Guvnors'

Things start to look a little brighter for down-on-his-luck Francis Henshall when he lands two jobs in one fantastic day. Launching A Noise Within’s “Songs from the Volcano” 2025-36 season, One Man, Two Guvnors is British playwright Richard Bean’s hilarious, Tony Award-winning adaptation of Goldoni’s classic 1783 farce, The Servant of Two Masters. Packed with physical comedy, quick wit and a live skiffle band playing Gary Olding’s original songs, One Man, Two Guvnors is helmed by ANW co-artistic directors Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott alongside music director Rod Bagheri. Previews begin August 31, with opening night set for September 6 and performances continuing through September 28.

Fresh off his critically acclaimed performance in last season’s A Man of No Importance, A Noise Within resident artist Kasey Mahaffy returns to 1963, this time as a hapless, out of work musician in England’s seaside town of Brighton. His search for work has paid off — but now he’s working for two bosses at the same time, all the while keeping each unaware of the other’s existence. They, meanwhile, are just as busy — separated lovers on the run from the mob, they end up at the same pub, neither knowing that the other is there... which isn’t difficult, because one of them is in drag. And really, the only important thing is to get something to eat, because Francis is always so, so hungry.

Bean’s fresh adaptation, a huge success for Britain’s National Theatre and on Broadway, has brought Goldoni’s classic commedia of disguise, deception, love and longing bang up to date.

“It’s a fabulous adaptation, filled with witty, irreverent social commentary and unapologetic farce,” says Elliott. “I don’t think we’ve ever directed something filled with so much careless abandon.”

“Bean puts a 21st century lens on an 18th century commedia, and it’s so smart,” agrees Rodriguez-Elliott. “The ‘swinging ’60s’ is a fun setting to work with, but it was also a period of rebellion and social change. The live skiffle band is the final ingenious touch.”

Popularized in 1950s England, skiffle is rooted in Americana roots music: blues, bluegrass, traditional jazz, rockabilly, country and jug bands. Played on a combination of acoustic and improvised instruments, skiffle sowed the seeds for British Invasion rock ‘n roll. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison all listened to skiffle as teenagers and formed their first group, the Quarrymen, as a skiffle act. Other groups heavily influenced by skiffle include The Rolling Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.

Performances of One Man, Two Guvnors take place September 6 through September 28 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (no matinee on Saturday, Sept. 6). Four preview performances take place on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 2 p.m., and on Wednesday, Sept. 3; Thursday, Sept. 4; and Friday, Sept. 5, each at 7:30 p.m.

A one-hour INsiders Discussion Group will take place prior to the matinee on Sunday, Sept. 7, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Post-performance conversations with the artists will take place every Friday (except the preview) and on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Tickets to One Man, Two Guvnors start at $51.50 (including fees). Student tickets start at $20. Tickets to the preview performances on Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 4 will be Pay What You Choose starting at $10 (available online beginning at noon the Monday prior, and at the box office beginning at 2 p.m. on the day of the performance) Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

A Noise Within is located at 3352 E Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (626) 356-3100 or go to www.anoisewithin.org.