The servant of two masters

ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS by Bean, ,Author - Richard Bean, Director - Nicholas Hytner, Designer - Mark Thompson, Lighting - Mark Henderson, The National Theatre, Tour 2014, Credit: Johan Persson - www.perssonphotography.com /

The National Theatre’s award-winning comedy has gathered up a few television stars along the way, including Shaun Williamson — known to some as Barry from Eastenders, and to others for playing himself (to big laughs) in Ricky Gervais vehicle Extras.

Shaun takes up the role of Charlie Clench alongside Emma Barton — known for her role as Honey Mitchell in Eastenders — and Jasmyn Banks who starred in (you guessed it) Eastenders as Alice Branning.

Leading the way is Gavin Spokes, taking on the lead role of Francis Henshall.

Nicholas Hytner’s script — based on Carlo Goldoni’s classic Italian comedy The Servant of Two Masters — follows Francis from being fired from his skiffle band to becoming a minder for Roscoe Crabbe.

But Roscoe Crabbe has more to him than meets the eye — in fact, he’s Rachel, posing as her own dead brother, killed by boyfriend Stanley Stubbers.

Francis soon spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a second job with Stubbers — but to keep up the act, he has to keep his two guvnors apart at all costs.

One Man, Two Guvnors promises satire, songs, slapstick and one-liners celebrating the art of British comedy — and having toured to one million worldwide, there might just be something in it.

The show runs June 30 - July 5 and tickets are £11.90-£47.40 plus booking fee, available from 0844 871 7648.