ACTOR James Corden is back on the London stage, for the first time in more than 12 years, starring in a new play, The Constituent, at the Old Vic. He was last seen in London starring in One Man, Two Guvnors, the hilarious hit play by Richard Bean based on an 18th century comedy. It’s the summer production for Salisbury’s Studio Theatre, where Francis Henshall, Corden’s role, is played by his namesake, Jamie Pullen, in an eight-night run from 5th to 13th July.

Adapted from Carlo Goldoni’s 1743 commedia dell’arte comedy, The Servant of Two Masters, Richard Bean’s riotous version is updated to 1963 Brighton. It was a huge hit when it premiered at the National Theatre in 2011 and has been playing to packed theatres around the country ever since. The Salisbury production, directed by Antonia Harding, will include the NT’s original song Tomorrow Looks Good From Here by Grant Olding and Richard Bean.

Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall likes his food and needs money to keep him in pie and chips, so he takes two jobs, with different masters. Both are shady characters and it could get dangerous if they meet up. But Francis gets easily confused and it’s not long before his carefully laid plans to keep them apart come unravelled.

The other cast members are Clare Green as Rachel Crabb, Will America as Staley Stubbers, Alistair Faulkner as Charlie “The Duck” Clench, Emily Casselton as Pauline Clench, Rachel Fletcher as Dolly, Simon Carter as Lloyd Boating, Richard Knight as Harry Dangle and Gareth, Jacob Franks as Alan Dangle, Matt Hodge as Alfie, and Claire Martin as an old lady and a policeman.

One Man Two Guvnors is at the Studio Theatre in Ashley Road from Friday 5th July to Saturday 13th at 7.30pm, with a 2.30 matinee on Saturday 6th.