Rehearsals are well underway for the forthcoming Torch Theatre production of 'One Man, Two Guvnors' ahead of opening night next week.

The cast have been rehearsing together since meeting for the first time on October 14 in the theatre’s Junction space.

Under the creative eye and direction of the Torch Theatre’s artistic director, Peter Doran (who is also making a cameo appearance in the show), the cast members have been put through their paces as the smash hit West End and Broadway production is brought back to life once again in the heart of Milford Haven.

The curtain will go up on Thursday, October 31, and Peter believes this production will be the must-see hit of the autumn with theatre audiences:

“Autumn is a very exciting time for us here at the Torch Theatre as it’s the period when we produce our own shows," he said.

"We kick off our season with the wonderful 'One Man Two Guvnors', one of the biggest theatre hits over the past 30 years, it’s a pleasure to produce it here in Milford Haven, and we really hope you enjoy the production as much as we have rehearsing it.”

The Torch Theatre’s production stars local actor Christian Patterson as Francis Henshall, an out-of-work skiffle player who becomes separately employed by two guvnors; gangster Roscoe Crabbe (Emma Mulkern) and upper class criminal Stanley Stubbers (James Mack).

To earn an extra meal ticket and to avoid being discovered, Henshall must keep these notorious guvnors apart with hilarious consequences.

The production originally took to the stage in October 2018 at the Torch, receiving reviews to critical acclaim by both audience members and the press alike for its slapstick comedy and brilliant one-liners.

Unfortunately the run at the time was cut short due to an injury to Christian but he is delighted to taking on the role again of the hapless Francis Henshall.

Joining Christian on stage will be Sarah Annis who plays the role of Dolly, the secretary of retried gangster, Charlie Clench. Sarah’s TV credits include appearances in 'Ashes to Ashes', 'The Royal', 'Doctors', 'Silent Witness', 'Eastenders' and 'Holby City'.

Taking on the role of frustrated thespian Alan Dangle will be George Naylor, whose recent stage credits include 'Wendy & Peter Pan' (Royal Lyceum Theatre) and 'Much Ado About Nothing' (Heartbreak Productions).

Miriam O’Brien is Alan’s dippy girlfriend Pauline. Regular visitors to the Torch Theatre may recall Miriam from her previous appearances in 'The Woman In Black', 'Dick Whittington', 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest'.

As Charlie ‘The Duck’, the Torch Theatre Company is delighted to welcome back Marcus Knibbs, who has previously worked with Peter Doran in the Torch Theatre productions of 'Gotcha', 'Taking Steps', 'Aladdin', 'The Hired Man' and 'An Inspector Calls'.

Making her Torch Theatre debut is Emma Mulkern as Rachel Crabbe. Emma has just completed a run in Jeff Wayne’s 'The War Of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience' and will also be playing the title role in the Torch Theatre Company’s 2019 pantomime, 'Aladdin'.

The most successful theatre comedy of the past 50 years, 'One Man, Two Guvnors' has been seen by over a million people worldwide and ran in London’s West End from 2011 for three years, earning five star reviews from every London newspaper.

The production ran on Broadway from 2012 before commencing on a national tour of the UK in 2014. Notable names who have previously performed in the show include James Corden, Rufus Hound, Jodie Prenger and Shaun Williamson.

Peter Doran added: “It’s one of those shows that everyone should see – probably the funniest thing to hit the British stage in the last 25 years. Get your tickets now, it’s bound to be popular.”

It opens at the Torch on Thursday, October 31, and runs until Saturday, November 16, with a variety of evening and matinee performances, and a BSL (British Sign Language) interpreted performance on Thursday, November 7, at 7.30pm.

Tickets can be booked from the box office on 01646 695267 or online at torchtheatre.co.uk