The National Theatre’s hit production of One Man, Two Guvnors will come to the end of its hugely successful run in the West End next March.
Richard Bean’s entertaining version of Carlo Goldoni’s Italian comedy has had audience members’ sides splitting across Theatreland since its premiere at the National’s Lyttelton theatre in May 2011. Since then, the comedy’s stomach-driven central character has taken up residence at the Adelphi and, more recently, at its current home at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in order to make the most of the on-stage catering.
Following the story of gluttonous Francis Henshall, a role that has been portrayed by comic trio James Corden, Owain Arthur and Rufus Hound throughout its nigh-on three year run, One Man, Two Guvnors is a tale of food, sex and money that sees Henshall take on two jobs in order to satisfying his hunger. All he must do is keep his two guvnors apart.
One Man veteran Arthur, who has appeared as the play’s food-loving protagonist both in the West End and on tour, will lead the cast in its final performances, alongside newcomer Angela Griffin, and Kellie Shirley and Peter Caulfield, who reprise their roles in the hit comedy following performances on tour, from 23 September.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the production’s cast also includes Dominic Thorburn, Sam Alexander, David Benson, Ian Burfield, Amy Cudden, Derek Elroy, Hugh Sachs, Mensah Bediako, Sophie Cosson, Stephen Leask, Nadim Naaman, Gemma Salter and Patrick Warner.
Described by The Guardian’s Michael Billington as “one of the funniest productions in the National’s history” when it opened at the Southbank venue nearly three years ago, One Man, Two Guvnors continued its raucously funny reputation throughout its run, with The Telegraph’s Charles Spencer confirming it was “as blissfully funny with its new cast as it was with the original one” when Arthur took over the role in March 2012.
The Olivier Award nominated production, which will become the longest-running show to play at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in more than 200 years when it ends on 1 March, has been seen by more than one million people worldwide and played almost 900 performances in the capital.