One Man, Two Guvnors Tickets

The Theatre Royal Haymarket becomes the new home of “One Man, Two Guvnors” this March as James Corden, who appeared in the show at the Lyttelton National Theatre and the Adelphi Theatre, takes the show on the road and also to the other side of the Atlantic. This means that the West End version requires a new actor to take on the lead role of Francis Henshall and he takes the form of Owain Arthur. It will be a West End lead debut of the young actor, but with Richard Bean’s celebrated script remaining intact and Nicholas Hytner remaining as director it should retain the charm and humour that has made it a West End hit.

Owain Arthur already has experience with the production as he was the understudy to Corden during the show’s run at the National Theatre and the Adelphi. He has previously appeared in West End shows like “Birdsong” at the Harold Pinter Theatre (formerly the Comedy) and other theatrical productions like “Romeo & Juliet” for the Royal Shakespeare Company and “The History Boys” on a UK tour, though “One Man, Two Guvnors” will be his first West End lead. In addition to his stage work, those with theatre tickets may also recognise him from the likes of “Doctors”, “Causualty” and “The Friday Night Club”, among others.

In “One Man, Two Guvnors” he portrays the food-loving Francis Henshall, who is fired from his skiffle band at the start of the show and this starts in motion a chain of event that leads to his being a servant of two masters. There’s plenty of mistaken identity and farce along the way but ultimately it is Henshall’s stomach that causes all of the problems as he finds a new job with a local crook and decides to find yet another employer to fund his eating habits. All he has to do is ensure that his two masters never come face to face – something that is easier said than done.

The play is based on Carlo Goldoni’s “The Servant of Two Masters”, first performed in the 18th century. This version, however, has been penned by Richard Bean, who is famous for plays like “The Heretic” at the Royal Court Theatre and “England People Very Nice” at the Olivier National Theatre.

“One Man, Two Guvnors” begins its run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from Friday 2nd March 2012, with its initial booking period leading it to Saturday 15th September 2012.