One Man, Two Guvnors review – this exemplary staging outdoes the original
A first-rate cast delight in controlled chaos of the highest order in Conrad Nelson’s seamless revival of Richard Bean’s hit play
November 2023
The week in theatre: Knocking on the Wall; To Have and to Hold; Mates in Chelsea – review
To Have and to Hold review – fond family comedy from the writer of One Man, Two Guvnors
July 2022
The week in theatre: Much Ado About Nothing; Jack Absolute Flies Again; Crazy for You
Jack Absolute Flies Again review – wartime comedy of manners fails to take off
April 2022
Cultural prescription
Something for the weekend: film, music and more for May Day bank holiday
From a spot of Quadrophenia to a good innings with The English Game, our critics suggest art to inspire the best use of your extra day of free time
February 2022
71 Coltman Street review – the raucous origins of Hull Truck theatre company
One-liners and vernacular idiosyncrasies at the ready, the Hull-born One Man, Two Guvnors playwright Richard Bean takes us back to 1971 and the founding of a local institution
April 2020
Lockdown culture
One Man, Two Guvnors: Nicholas Hytner on the joy of farcing around
The National Theatre’s smash-hit comedy starring James Corden is available free online until 9 April. Its director reflects on a runaway success
September 2019
One Man, Two Guvnors review – a jolly romp wearing borrowed clothes
Sarah Brigham’s revival of Richard Bean’s brilliant and chaotic comedy hoodwinks the audience into its games, but lacks the original’s taste for danger
June 2018
Knockouts, nobles and nukes: the 25 best British plays since Jerusalem
It is the hit that transformed British theatre. As Jez Butterworth’s epochal drama returns, our critic chooses the 25 best plays since Jerusalem – from exploited boxers to warring kings
January 2018
The Words Are Coming Now review – urgent responses to the #MeToo moment
Playwrights respond to sexual harassment scandals in series of new dramas
June 2017
Kiss Me review – Richard Bean's tender two-hander keeps you guessing
The One Man, Two Guvnors playwright has crafted a quietly funny, postwar drama about fertility, sex and survival
March 2017
The Hypocrite review – hard-work humour from Richard Bean
The Hypocrite review – Richard Bean's raucous comedy does Hull proud
January 2017
Unmissable culture of 2017
Centre stage: the best theatre of 2017
Hamilton comes to London, Sherlock villain Andrew Scott adds Hamlet to his CV, Damian Lewis falls in love with a goat, and Ivo van Hove directs Jude Law in a tale of lust, greed and murder
September 2016
The Guardian view on Hull, city of culture: arts for all?
Editorial: Hull has announced a glittering programme for 2017. Its success will rest not on the glamour of big arts events, but on how it enriches its citizens’ lives
March 2016
Mark Lawson's theatre studies
Scene change: the problems with relocating plays
Moving The Maids from France to the US adds a powerful racial subtext to Genet’s original, while Anouilh’s Welcome Home, Captain Fox! fares less well when set in America. Not all plays benefit from gaining a new setting
The Nap review – glorious theatrical fun from Richard Bean
Cue great jokes, assured direction and the outrageously funny Mark Addy in this delightful snooker comedy
The Nap review – snooker supplies the drama, Richard Bean adds the one-liners
Jack O’Connell keeps his cool as a rising snooker star – even while playing a competitive match – in Bean’s comedy about sport, class and corruption
