Beaver's Bobcat Players present the rollicking farce 'One Man, Two Guvnors'

BEAVER – In March 2020, the Bobcat Players were two weeks away from opening the curtain on the Beaver theater group's spring show, the rollicking farce "One Man, Two Guvnors" that was a sensation in both London and New York.

But then came COVID, shutting out the lights on the Bobcat Players and theaters across the nation.

Three years later, the Bobcat Players are ready to revisit Richard Bean’s masterwork of mayhem.

"One Man, Two Guvnors" will be presented Apri 14-15 and April 20-22 at the Ed Schaughency Theater in Beaver Area High School. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and may be purchased in person at the Hostess Shoppe on Third Street in Beaver; at bobcatplayers.yapsody.com or through the reservation phone line at 878-207-0309.

"One Man, Two Guvnors" is a modern retelling of a classic commedia dell'arte, a European theatrical style known for slapstick, improvisations and stock characters.

Among those characters taking the Beaver stage is a robust servant who struggles between his love of lusty women and his love of rich food and drink, a lovesick heroine disguised as her dead twin brother and a highly affected actor passionately bemoaning his fate.

Add a measure of early 1960s British rock music between scene changes, a smattering of audience participation, a constant breaking of the stage’s fourth wall and props and scene changes galore, and a night’s entertainment is guaranteed.

The director, Erin Bock of South Park, brings different perspectives and a wealth of knowledge about the farce, having played the role of Dolly in a production staged in 2017 at Little Lake Theatre in Canonsburg, Before COVID shut down the 2020 production, she served as the musical director for the Bobcats’ production.

“I love a good farce," Bock said. "They are so challenging both physically and mentally. It’s not just about the jokes; it’s about the timing, pacing and acting honestly in absurd situations.”

Bock also loves the musical interludes in the show. Original music by Grant Olding is supplemented with nostalgic songs that transport the audience to the early 1960s and the play’s setting, Brighton, England. All numbers are performed by the versatile cast.

“They all have amazing comedic instincts and it's been wonderful to watch their characters grow and develop over these past few weeks,” Bock said.

Reprising his role as the amorous but unfortunate Francis Henshall is Josh Antoon of Aliquippa, a familiar face to Bobcat Player audiences.

“Since the show is a British farce, the scenes have a lot going on within them," he said. "There are a lot of people coming and going in and out of the scene. Another challenge comes in the form of improvisation. There are a number of times in which I interact with the crowd. I will have fun, but I’m hoping the audience members are ready for this ride, which includes me plucking people from their seats.”

Antoon adjusted to a new director and some new cast members since the original, long-delayed production. The cast, new and old, has opportunities to create comedic bits, and, as Antoon puts it, “We’ve created some gut-busting comedic moments.”

“Gut-busting” is an appropriate description for his Francis Henshall character who has a voracious appetite and displays it throughout the play, noshing his way through bountiful helpings of fish and chips. So much so, that Bock recommends the audience may want to have a snack before attending.

Surrounding Antoon is an ensemble cast: Xander Boots of Cranberry Township, Jason Fernandez of Beaver Falls, Ken Frankenberry of Hopewell Township, Elizabeth Glyptis of Pittsburgh's North Side, Chelsea Kikel of Aliquippa, Johanna Lord of Monaca, Clarence Seybert of Rochester, Aaron Shanor of Rochester, Samantha Smith of New Sewickley Township, Dan Stadnik of Beaver and Bruce Travers of Ross Township.

A direct link to yapsody and further information on the show can be found at bobcatplayers.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Beaver Bobcat Players' 'One Man, Two Guvnors' promises rollicking fun