Owain Arthur Confirmed for One Man, Two Guvnors Lead

James Corden’s Understudy Steps up to the Role As Show Transfers to Theatre Royal Haymarket

Last month it was rumoured that Owain Arthur, understudy to James Corden in “One Man, Two Guvnors”, would be stepping up to the title role of Francis Henshall when that production transfers to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in March 2012. The news was first indicated by Baz Bamigboye in the Daily Mail and now this has been confirmed as James Corden will follow the show across the Atlantic to Broadway, following in a long line of British shows to recently make that move.

It will the first lead West End role for Arthur when he steps into Corden’s shoes fulltime, though the actor does have other credits under his belt in the world of television and film – in addition to “The History Boys” on a National tour from 2006 to 2007 and “Birdsong” at the Comedy Theatre (now the Harold Pinter Theatre) last year. His credits include “Doctors”, “The Palace”, “Casualty” and “The Friday Night Club”, among others.

Corden has also appeared in “The History Boys” when it ran at the Lyttelton National Theatre, though he is better known for television roles like “Gavin & Stacey” and “Doctor Who”.

In “One Man, Two Guvnors” the focus is on Francis Henshall in Richard Bean’s updated version of Carlo Goldoni’s “The Servant of Two Masters”. The setting is changed to 1960s Brighton where the food-loving Henshall is fired from a skiffle band and takes on a new role as a servant to a local crook. But it doesn’t end there. Henshall is well versed in following his stomach and by taking on employment from someone else he can get plenty more food along the way, making him the eponymous Servant of Two Masters. All he has to do is ensure that he keeps his employers apart.

The production opened at the National Theatre before transferring to the West End’s Adelphi Theatre. This version will continue on Broadway after it finishes its run on Saturday 25th February 2012, whilst the new version – with Owain Arthur in the lead role – will open at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from Friday 2nd March 2012 with a run that takes it to Saturday 15th September 2012.