Ian Midgley reviews the Richard Bean comedy One Man Two Guvnors, at Hull New Theatre until Saturday.
There's a certain sense of home pride for the all-conquering One Man Two Guvnors, which is enjoying a week-long run at Hull New Theatre.
After all, it was written by Hull's own Richard Bean - a global success from a former Anlaby Road factory worker.
And it is evident that the gag-laden romp has lost none of its West End pizazz on the road.
Quite simply, OMTG is hilarious, a cross between a Ray Cooney farce and a slick Carry On film ... only funny.
Gavin Spokes maintains James Corden's high standards as Francis Henshall, the eponymous and permanently hungry One Man, while the rest of the cast milk each line and absurd plot twist for every knowing laugh.
The whole ensemble cast is on top form. Michael Dylan makes for a superbly slapstick and decrepit waiter Alfie; Alicia Davies is a likeable monozygotic - or is that dizygotic? – twin Rachel, and Shaun Williamson, aka Barry of Eastenders fame, is an old pro at delivering deft comic lines.
It speaks volumes that the cast seem to be having a blast trying to make each other corpse on stage, making this a comedy not to be missed.
Based on the 18th-century Venetian comedy A Servant Of Two Masters, this is a play with fine Italian ingredients, leavened with Bean's Yorkshire wit, and is one of those rare shows that manages to capture lightning in a bottle.
It'll run for years, but it's here in Hull until Saturday, June 28.• One Man Two Guvnors: Hull New Theatre, Kingston Square, Hull. Nightly 7.30pm, matinees Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm. Tickets from £19 to £29.50. Call 01482 300300.
