Brighton, 1963 - expressed in swirly orange and brown wallpaper, on-point suits and short skirts and a carefully chosen soundtrack.

The scene was set for an Isle of Wight performance of One Man, Two Guvnors, by Richard Bean.

Inspired by an Italian comedy, dating to 1783, it's the tale of a hapless anti-hero, a pair of lovers, parted by both events and geography, and some all-round dodgy dealings.  

One Man, Two Guvnors first opened in London, in 2011, before touring - taking on the bright lights of Broadway, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ashley Hetherington and Megan West in One Man, Two Guvnors.Ashley Hetherington and Megan West in One Man, Two Guvnors. (Image: Horse Box Theatre Company.)

In what was arguably its most famous run, James Cordon played the leading role. 

Now...flash forward to 2023.

Clothes-store-turned-venue, Department Ryde, was transformed for February's sold-out run of shows, presented by the Horse Box Theatre Company.

In the titular role of the 'One Man' - aka Francis 'Confidential' Henshall - Joe Plumb confidently and enthusiastically combined slapstick physical comedy, tongue twister lines and a series of misunderstandings to keep the audience laughing.

Charmed by his apparent naivety, yet so much more than a love-interest, Holly Downer played Dolly, to coquettish perfection.

The chalk and cheese 'Two Guvnors' (brilliant street-smart Zoe Divers and Posh-boy Robbie Gwinnett) brought the drama.

At one point, their precarious balancing act on a bannister, which doubled as the dock of a bay, meant we audience members had to twist our necks around to keep track of the action.

Meanwhile, there was plenty of applause for mob-matriarch Charlie (actor Fiona Gwinett rocks a faux fur, by the way); Paul Gwinett's long-suffering Lloyd; hilarious Harry Dangle, portrayed by simpering Ashley Hetherington; and Pauline (Megan West), on her personal journey to learn how not to be a wallflower.

The production was a stylish and thoroughly entertaining romp.

Isle of Wight County Press: Joe Plumb and Ashley Hetherington in One Man, Two Guvnors.Joe Plumb and Ashley Hetherington in One Man, Two Guvnors. (Image: Horse Box Theatre Company.)

Horse Box Theatre Company will be performing The Lighthouse Keeper at the Isle of Wight Story Festival on Friday, February 17, at 1.30pm. For tickets to the show at Quay Arts, CLICK HERE

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I managed to escape the plentiful dreaded audience participation, after arriving late (less fashionable, more embarrassing - I tried to use the wrong door).

Perched on the end of a row, my companion for the evening was chosen to get involved, however, and he took it on the chin.

This production looked and sounded great.

It was easy to pretend were were all in it together, back in the swinging sixties and dodging the heavies, and there was a good old fashioned sing-a-long, for good measure.

One Man, Two Guvnors delivered on laughs and delighted its audience - catch it if it pops up again at an Island venue near you.