Last week I attended a performance of the new Broadway hit, "One Man, Two Guvnors" by Richard Bean. James Corden stars as the servant of two masters in this modern-day adaptation of Carlo Goldoni's old farce, "The Servant of Two Masters." Nicholas Hytner directs this British import, which strives to present the feeling of attending an old-fashioned vaudeville. The action is set in the 1960s, and so there are interpolated musical numbers by a 1960s style pop band, called "The Craze" – four young men with guitars and percussion who sing up a storm before and interspersed with the action of the play.
At times I had trouble understanding some of the fast-flying dialogue by the imported British actors. (I could understanding almost nothing that the character of the father said.) But understanding dialogue was not so important most of the time, because this was inspired clowing and slapstick, and them most inspired was Tom Edden playing the role of Alfie, a hilariously physically impaired hotel restaurant waiter whose dramatic pratfalls were a source of great amusement to the assembled masses.
This is all good fun, with nothing of any depth to detract from the hilarity. A good summer show to see.