Cast announced for One Man Two Guvnors

Theatre by the Lake’s acclaimed 2022 season continues with a hilarious bang when the sensational, smash-hit comedy One Man Two Guvnors comes to Keswick next month.

Richard Bean’s much-loved modern farce, an adaptation of the classic A Servant to Two Masters, promises a riotous mix of slapstick, hilarity and live music in this co-production with The Octagon Theatre, Bolton and Liverpool Everyman, directed by the Octagon’s Artistic Director, Lotte Wakeham.

The show opens at Octagon Theatre Bolton from Thu 26 May – Sat 25 June and visits Liverpool Everyman Wed 29 June – Sat 16 July finally ending its run at Theatre by the Lake Wed 20 July – Sat 3 Sep.

Set in 1963, this farcical tale follows the antics of recently fired Francis Henshall, as he attempts to juggle duties for two new ‘guvnors’, trying to keep them apart to avoid discovery of his double life – with hysterical results.

A talented cast of 11 star in this side-splittingly funny, brand-new production, including actor-musicians who make up a skiffle band playing live music throughout the show.

In his professional stage debut, Jordan Pearson (Ladhood, BBC and Coronation Street, ITV) stars in the role of Francis.

The two ‘guvnors’ – Rachel Crabbe and Stanley Stubbers, will be played by Siobhan Athwal (The Bone Sparrow, Pilot Theatre, Bend It Like Beckham, West End) and Laurie Jamieson (71 Coleman Street, Hull Truck, The Canary and the Crow, Middle Child) respectively.

The cast also includes Alexander Bean (Summer Holiday, Octagon Theatre Bolton, The Jungle Book, Watermill Theatre) as Lloyd; Matthew Ganley (Oliver Twist, Storyhouse, Around the World in 80 Days, Kenny Wax Productions) as Gareth; UK Theatre award-winning actor (and well-known to Keswick audiences) Polly Lister will be returning to TBTL as Charlie (The Hound of the Baskervilles, Octagon Theatre Bolton, The Snow Queen, Stephen Joseph Theatre) as Dolly; Qasim Mahmood (Aladdin, Lyric Hammersmith, Trojan Horse, Lung Theatre) as Alan Dangle; Rodney Matthew (The Last Witch, Ten Feet Tall, The Pillowman, Aberdeen Arts Centre).

Completing the cast is Javier Marzan (The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary, Liverpool Everyman/UK tour, The Ghost Train, Royal Exchange Theatre) as Alfie; Karl Seth (East is East, Trafalgar Studios/UK tour, She Loves Me, Sheffield Crucible) as Harry; and Lauren Sturgess (The Present and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Octagon Theatre Bolton) as Pauline.

Director, Lotte Wakeham commented:

“I’m absolutely thrilled to finally announce our stellar company of actors for One Man Two Guvnors.

I can’t wait to bring this feel-good, fast-paced knockabout farce to the stage. It is a modern classic and promises to be a great night out, with hysterical physical comedy and brilliant music which will transport the audience back to the 1960s. I’m certain it will be a real crowd-pleaser.

We are delighted to be co-producing the show with our friends at Liverpool Everyman and Theatre by the Lake, so this smash-hit comedy can be enjoyed by audiences across the North West this summer.”

The creative team includes: Colin Falconer (set designer), Katie Scott (associate set designer and costume designer), John Nicholson (physical comedy director), Jordan Li-Smith (musical director), Jane Lallijee (lighting designer) and Andy Graham (sound designer).

Comedy chaos is sure to ensue in this unmissable tale of mistaken identity, murder and mayhem.

Coming to Theatre by the Lake from Wed 20 July – Sat 3 September | the Octagon from Thu 26 May – Sat 25 June | Liverpool Everyman Wed 29 June – Sat 16 July.

Tickets start from £10 at Theatre by the Lake and are already on sale in all venues.

Find out more and book tickets via the theatre’s Box Office on 017687 74411 or at theatrebythelake.com