James Corden, the star of Richard Bean’s comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, which is currently playing at the National Theatre, will lead the cast into the West End when the show transfers to the Adelphi theatre on 8 November.
The hit show, based on Carlo Goldini’s The Servant Of Two Masters, has had National Theatre audiences in fits of laughter with its tale of food-loving Francis Henshall (Corden) who, in a quest to get as many meal-tickets as he can, takes on not one job but two. In order to prevent discovery, Henshall must keep his two guvnors apart, however things are never going to be quite that simple.
Transferring into the West End alongside Corden are many of the show’s original cast, including Oliver Chris and Jemima Rooper as the two guvnors, recent BAFTA-winner Daniel Rigby, Martyn Ellis, Suzie Toase, Trevor Laird, Claire Lams and Fred Ridgeway.
One Man, Two Guvnors has marked a triumphant return to the National Theatre for Corden, who last appeared there as part of the award-winning cast of Alan Bennett’s The History Boys. More recently he has become known for his television work, particularly co-writing and appearing as Smithy in sitcom Gavin And Stacey.
Playwright Bean previously wrote England People Very Nice for the National Theatre. His other plays include The Heretic at the Royal Court, The Big Fellah for the Lyric Hammersmith and The Hypochondriac for the Almeida theatre.
One Man, Two Guvnors, which is directed by National Theatre Artistic Director Nicholas Hytner, will embark on a short UK tour following the end of its run on the South Bank and prior to the West End transfer.
It will open to the press at the Adelphi theatre on 21 November, and run until 25 February. The current occupant of the Adelphi, Love Never Dies, ends its run on 27 August.
CB