One Man, Two Guvnors Finds New Home at West End's Theatre Royal Haymarket

British hit One Man, Two Guvnors, directed by Nicholas Hytner, will transfer to the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket on March 2, 2012, after finishing its current West End engagement at the Adelphi Theatre on February 25. Owain Arthur, who took over the leading role of lovable chancer Francis Henshall during the show’s run at the Adelphi, will again star at Theatre Royal Haymarket. He assumes the role from James Corden, who will be hopping across the pond to star in the show's forthcoming Broadway production. Further casting for the West End transfer will be announced shortly.

Richard Bean’s award-wining adaptation, based on Carlo Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters, opened at the National Theatre in May 2011, and went on to a U.K. tour, before landing on the West End. The Broadway production of One Man, Two Guvnors will open at the Music Box Theatre on April 18, 2012.

Sex, food and money are high on the agenda in this English version of a classic Italian comedy. Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall (Corden) becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe, a small time East End hood. However, Roscoe is really his sister, Rachel, posing as her own dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers. Francis takes a second job with one Stanley Stubbers, who is hiding from the police and waiting to be re-united with Rachel. To prevent discovery, Francis must keep his two guvnors apart.

Arthur, who has been understudying the role of Francis Henshall on the West End, has also been seen in Nicholas Hytner’s National Theatre production of The History Boys, as well as Romeo and Juliet for the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Comedy of Errors for the Royal Exchange Theatre and Birdsong at the Comedy Theatre.

With songs by Grant Olding, One Man, Two Guvnors’ physical comedy director is Cal McCrystal, designs are by Mark Thompson, with lighting by Mark Henderson, sound design by Paul Arditti, fight direction by Kate Waters and choreography by Adam Penford.