“I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with such an enthusiastic and generous team” is how Director Olivia McMillan described working with Mummers this semester. Richard Bean’s One Man Two Guvnors is set in 1963 Brighton, UK and its physical comedy and absurd characters provided a riotous show for all to enjoy with the addition of the director’s special twists and the cast’s own humour and originality.

In the audience was old Pauline and internationally acclaimed Australian actor John Gaden AO (in College 1959-61) (pictured here with Mrs Edwina Waddy).

Commenting on being back to see Mummers after a gap of 60 years, John said “I loved the show, witty, great timing. The Waddy Theatre is brilliant for this work and really honours Lloyd who was at Paul’s the same time as me”. At the end of the show John joined the cast and crew in the green room and he said “Student drama at Paul’s is still strong after all these years, well done to everyone involved.”

Award-winning playwright Richard Bean has reimagined Carlo Goldoni’s celebrated 18th-century play The Servant of Two Masters into a fresh and dynamic interpretation of one of the great works of European comedic theatre.

The story follows Francis Henshall (Sam McCredie), recently dismissed from his skiffle band, who finds employment as a minder to Roscoe Crabbe, a minor East End criminal visiting Brighton to collect a substantial dowry from his fiancée’s father. However, Roscoe is, in fact, Rachel Crabbe (Freya Carmody), disguised as her deceased brother, who was killed by her lover, Stanley Stubbers (Hugo Sudell). As events unfold, Francis—ever motivated by hunger—accepts a second position with Stanley, who is in hiding and awaiting reunion with Rachel. To maintain his dual employment and avoid exposure, Francis must navigate the increasingly complex task of keeping his two masters apart.

Bean’s adaptation retains the essence of Goldoni’s original while infusing it with contemporary wit and energy. Themes of identity, desire, and survival are explored through a fast-paced plot where food, money, and romantic entanglements drive the action. On the Mummers stage numerous twists and turns, some masterful ad lib, and females playing males lifted the play to a whole new level.

The main characters were well suited to Mummers’ experienced thespians including Sam McCredie who played Francis Henshall living the double life of having two bosses each with competing demands, Freya Carmody as the devious male/female character of Rachel/Roscoe Crabbe,  Jack Rowe who played Charlie “The Duck” Clench one of the two guvnors, and Stanley Stubbers played by Hugo Sudell the other guvnor.

These performers were supported by Abby Long as Pauline Clench, Anna Morrison as Dolly, Ryan Bond as Alan Dangle. And in one of the director’s twists, Olivia Dight was in the male role of Lloyd Boateng, Heidie Best as the old man Alfie, Charlotte Ellis as Harry Dangle and Lili Alexiou in another male role as Gareth.

To complete the ensemble were Nick Carmody as the Cab Driver, and Kate Eggleston and Angie Ramsay, not as the bumbling bobbies, but as latter-day American-styled high-energy policewomen.

A great addition to the performances on 1st and 2nd November was the band of Felix Power, Rex Bouvier, James Ford and Deuchar Taylor pumping out hits of the 50s and 60s, from jazz classics to rock.

Crew were kept busy with multiple scene changes and numerous lighting cues, great costume, hair and make-up:

• Director: Olivia McMillan
• Stage Manager: Milly O’Connell;
• Producer: Freya Carmody;
• Backstage: Tahlia Sorgiovanni, Seamus Shepherd, Huckleberry Jurd, Emily D’Souza and Nick Carmody;
• Costumes: Ines Treharne, Anneka Steel, Nanette Washaya, Mia Spiers;
• Hair/Make-up: Lily Wood, Sophie Pancino, Milly Simpson, Ava Dunnett, and Holly Dawson ;
• Lighting: Rory Lambert and Jemima Williams;
• Marketing: Ria Alva, Rose Brown and Tara Gold;
• Props: Aidan Cheung, Sybilla Hooke and Zara Bond;
• Set Design: Ria Alva, Jack O’Rourke, Matthew McKee, and Lily Richards;
• Sound: Alex Mudri and Ella Wilden;
• Photography: Lili Alexiou

The Waddy Centre again provided a great opportunity for live performance with all the trimmings of a professional theatre, including the bar for pre-show and interval, flexible seating for the large audience on both nights, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and the performers’ green room.