A RIGHT ROYAL RIB-TICKLER IN THE CLOISTERS
July 4, 2023
Had you been in need of a serious pick-me-up at the end of a strenuous term, then joining us at the Cloisters Play on the nights of 2 and 3 July 2023 would have been the perfect tonic.
A glorious cast of gifted comic actors was performing Richard Bean’s comic masterpiece One Man, Two Guvnors in the delightful surrounds of the Cathedral’s Cloisters.
A quirky house band accompanied this delightful mix of slapstick, song, satire and witty repartee. The audience were in stitches throughout, especially when an unsuspecting member of the audience (aka Miss Cubbin, our Graduate Assistant) was roped into a bit of impromptu audience participation, and earned herself a liberal dousing in squirty cream for her troubles.
The play was packed with memorable stand-out performances showing great maturity, versatility and comic timing, none more so than the legendary Jack Parfitt who took on the eponymous “One Man” role of Francis Henshall. Notwithstanding, we had many young stars in the making on show. The were buoyed but the very appreciative and large audience whose enthusiastic laughter and applause, drove performers to ever greater glory.
Sadly, rain cancelled the matinée performance and the second evening was hastily relocated to the Blake Studio, a very different performance space and it is of great credit to the actors that they were able to adapt so readily.
This brilliant play would be enjoyed whoever the cast wherever the location; that we had such a stunning backdrop and such a superbly accomplished cast made this one of the stand-out performances of recent years.
Congratulations aplenty to all involved, both on and off the stage. We eagerly look forward to seeing the majority of the cast again next year in future productions.



