British comedy beamed down under

British comedy beamed down under

Since opening at London’s National Theatre in June, playwright Richard Bean’s One Man, Two Guvnors — an English adaptation of the 1743 Commedia del Arte comedy Servant of Two Masters — has had a dream run, with five star reviews and packed houses.

Australian audiences will get a chance to see the play in selected cinemas this weekend as part of the Theatre Live program.

“Now that the technology is available, it would seem irresponsible of the National Theatre not to use it to broadcast its work as widely as possible,” director Nicholas Hytner, whose directing credits include queer favourites like The Object of My Affection and The History Boys, said.

“Although undeniably what you’re watching is a hybrid, it doesn’t seem either like poor theatre or poor cinema. Our experience is that, through the skilful shooting, editing and transmission of our shows, cinemas all over the world can be made to feel like theatres.”

Bean’s story transposes the original Italian comedy of errors to Brighton circa 1963, with Brit comedian James Corden starring as the servant of two different guvnors.

“The idea of relocating Commedia del Arte to the British seaside was based on an instinct that English comedy and Italian comedy have the same roots — and indeed they do,” Hytner said.

“The comic types are the same. Low comic business has always been the same. A pratfall was funny 2500 years ago, greedy servants have always been funny and idiotic old men have always been funny.”

INFO: One Man, Two Guvnors screens nationally October 8 – 9. Check local listings.

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