One Man, Two Guvnors (2011, streaming 2020) *****

If you're a fan of live theater, you may be aware that the British National Theatre allows live broadcasts of some of their productions to be screened in movie theaters. Now with both movie theaters and live theaters closed for the coronavirus pandemic, they are making recorded productions available for streaming at home. They are kicking off National Theatre At Home with an absolute gem, “One Man, Two Guvnors,” starring James Corden.

Corden plays Francis Henshall, an out-of-work musician who takes work as assistant to small-time crook Roscoe Crabbe. Seeing a chance to earn an extra meal ticket, Francis signs on for a second job as assistant to another man. All he has to do is serve both masters without letting either find out about the other. Complicating matters is that his first boss is actually Roscoe's twin sister, Rachel, in disguise. Roscoe is dead, and Rachel is in town to collect a dowry from the father of Roscoe's fiance, then skip town with Rachel's boyfriend, Stanley, who killed Roscoe and who happens to be Francis's other boss, although no one involved is aware of that. Roscoe's fiance, meanwhile, is in love with an actor. Francis has to navigate all this while pursuing his own love interest, as well as a meal. Ya got all that?

The story will seem very familiar to fans of Shakespeare's comedies. It's full of madcap misunderstandings, bawdy humor, and, of course, everyone has to get married in the end. If it all seems very old-fashioned, it's because it's based on an 18th-century play by Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni.

James Corden is an absolute delight. I'm a big fan of his from the show “Gavin & Stacey,” and he is in perfect form here. Corden benefits from two inarguable facts: 1) Every line is funnier when it's in a foreign accent, and 2) Every action is funnier when performed by a fat man. Corden doesn't just rest on his bulky, British laurels, however. He's a genuinely funny, charismatic actor.

Now, I somehow came into this with the idea that it was a one-man show. Imagine my confusion when the play started out with a stage full of actors I didn't recognize. (Corden doesn't appear until about ten minutes in.) Fortunately, the supporting cast is excellent, especially Oliver Chris as Stanley and Suzie Toase as Dolly, who re-defines good posture.

This is one that's worth seeking out. It won a load of Tonys and it's an utter joy. It is, however, very British. Between the accents, the slang, and the rapid fire delivery, it can be hard to follow. (Also reminiscent of Shakespeare.) If you just relax and go with it, though, everything becomes clear. This is only playing free on Youtube for a few days. After that, I don't know if it becomes unavailable, or subscription only. Don't take any chances. Do yourself a favor and search for it now!

5 stars out of 5