READING AND AUDITIONS FOR ‘ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS’ ANNOUNCED
ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS
by Richard Bean
DIRECTOR: Craig Shelton
PERFORMANCE DATES: 15 – 25 JULY, 2026
Rehearsals will commence LATE MAY
There will be a reading of the play on 3 February 2026 so that those interested can hear the text come off the page and then make a judgement whether they wish to go forward to the audition on 15 February 2026
READING: Tuesday 3 February at 7.30 p.m. at the theatre. Audition pieces are available to take away after the reading
AUDITION: Sunday 15 February at 12 noon at the theatre
THE PLAY
One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean is a fast-paced comedic farce set in 1960s Brighton. Updated from Carlo Godini’s A Servant of Two Masters, the classic piece of Italian Commedia dell’Arte. It tells the story of the hapless and permanently hungry Francis Henshall who agrees to work for two masters at the same time—without either knowing about the other—chaos erupts. Mistaken identities, disguises, slapstick mayhem and romantic entanglements collide as Francis struggles to keep his double employment secret while everyone else chases love, money and revenge.
REVIEWS
“Richard Bean in taking on an old Italian play, has not only improved Goldoni but also struck gold.”
Michael Billington, The Guardian
THE CHARACTERS TO BE CAST
Francis Henshall – 20’s-40’s – Male Presenting
A desperate, hungry and accident-prone manservant. Loud, physical and loveable, he survives through quick thinking and sheer luck. This is a huge central role. The actor must be able to cope with the high level of physical comedy and activity required.
Roscoe Crabbe / Rachel Crabbe – 20’s-40’s – Female Presenting
A gangster, though to be dead. Roscoe is really Rachel in disguise pretending to be her brother in order to flee the country with her lover Stanley. Strong-willed and intelligent she is resourceful, emotional and feisty.
Stanley Stubbers – 20’s – 40’s – Male Presenting
Charming but slighting bumbling. Confident, selfish and romantically entangled with Rachel. On the run after killing Rachel’s brother, Roscoe, the gangster. Excellent sense of comedic timing required. Needs an ability to deliver ‘deadpan’.
Pauline Clench – 20’s – 30’s – Female Presenting
Daughter of Charlie, engaged to the dead Roscoe but in love with Alan. Spirited, romantic and prone to dramatic outbursts. Can be a little ‘ditsy’ at times.
Alan Dangle – 20’s – 30’s – Male Presenting
A sensitive, idealistic wannabe actor. Earnest and slightly ridiculous, deeply in love with Pauline. Tries to fulfil the archetype of the early 1960’s ‘angry young man’, often falls short of this with hilarious consequences.
Charlie “The Duck” Clench – 50’s-60’s – Male Presenting
Pauline’s blustering, old-school ‘businessman’ father (is really the local crime boss). Loud, opinionated and obsessed with money and status.
Dolly – 30’s – 40’s – Female Presenting
Sharp-tongued and confident, with a big heart. Works as Charlie’s bookkeeper. Worldly, funny and no-nonsense, she matches Francis beat for beat
Harry Dangle – 40’s-60’s – Male Presenting
Charlie’s solicitor and Alan’s father. Pompous, self-opinionated. He tries to show off by speaking in Latin every opportunity he gets.
Lloyd – 30’s-50’s – Male Presenting
Landlord/ Chef of The Cricketer’s Arms, the pub where Stanley and Rachel are staying. Ex-criminal who tries his best to help Rachel in any way he can.
Alfie
The elderly, often-confused cook/waiter. This is a small but essential role, often a shoe stealing part. It is open to all ages but needs someone who is able to perform demanding physical comedy. It can be performed by a younger actor who is heavily made up.
Gareth
A waiter at the pub.
AUDITIONS
At audition you will be expected to read and act a piece of text with some consideration given to characterisation. We will also do a short Commedia dell’Arte workshop at the start of the process so auditionees will be able to demonstrate their physicality and movement skills (essential for anyone auditioning for Frances, Rachel and Stanley).
You will be given time to prepare your text before auditioning.
To register your interest or to find out more about the production please either email me at craigshelton@lofttheatrecompany.com or come along to the reading
Do try to arrive on time so that you don’t miss lots of useful information about the play and being part of the production. The reading and the audition will be held at the theatre. Please come to the Stage Door at the rear of the theatre in Spencer’s Yard. There is access through the gate to the left of The Fold on Spencer Street. A Loft sign on the gate indicates the direction into the yard. The Fold is the large white building with pillars. Head in the direction of the red arrow across Spencer’s Yard to the Stage Door in the corner. The words ‘Stage Door’ are painted on the wall.
To register interest, or if you are interested but can’t make the dates, or for any more information, please get in touch with the director, Craig Shelton on craigshelton@lofttheatrecompany.com or for general questions, the Artistic Director, Sue Moore on suemoore@lofttheatrecompany.com
CASTING POLICY
The Loft’s casting policy is centred on casting the very best actors for each role. Casting will always be open and neutral. Everyone is welcome and warmly encouraged to attend auditions. If specific race/ethnicity or other characteristics are central to the story, we will make this clear in audition notices. There is no pre-casting without the express permission of the Artistic Director. We no longer have membership subscriptions. It is free to join our company.
