Behind The Scenes: Arthur, Griffin & Shirley Celebrate Star-Studded Gala Performance Of ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS

Stars of stage and screen were out in force Thursday night to celebrate the latest cast for Richard Bean's ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS - now the longest-running show at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Owain Arthur and Kellie Shirley return from the international tour to reprise their roles as Francis and Pauline whilst Angela Griffin makes her West End Debut as Dolly.

It was a star studded night on London's Haymarket: Nicholas Parsons, Bernard Cribbens, Sarah Parish, Jill Halfpenny and even Cherie Blair were all in attendance.

Star of Shrek and the forthcoming I Can't Sing! Nigel Harman was in the audience as was Shrek co-star Amanda Holden, who hinted to BWW:UK of a West End return in 2014. Nigel told us he was "really looking forward to the show, I'm one of the few people left who hasn't seen it".

He's currently hard at work researching the role of X Factor supremo Simon Cowell for I Can't Sing opening in 2014: 'I've been watching the US X Factor. I've got access to lots of archive material and SyCo have been really accommodating."

Supermodel Yasmin Le Bon and her husband Simon were also in the crowd; on the red carpet, she said that the show "will be a real treat". She was also wowed recently at the Royal Opera House, telling us: "I saw the Wasp Factory which was amazing - beautifully staged."

After the show, Angela Griffin told us she was having the time of her life.

"'It's the perfect character in the perfect play in the perfect theatre - I'm so lucky," she enthused.

It hasn't taken long for her to get the theatre bug; she added: "I was straight to my agent saying I want more theatre work after this."

Owain Arthur first playEd Francis Henshall at the Theatre Royal Haymarket last year before embarking on a national and international tour. He's delighted to be back on the West End.

He told us, "Having been around the world it shows you how special it is in the West End - how electrifying it is to be a part of something that's such a huge success. I'm absolutely loving it."

He's loving the reaction of the crowd, recalling: "I remember someone once telling me the show should be on the NHS as therapy as they laughed so much."

Arthur Brought on celebrity fashion guru Gok Wan for some hilarious audience participation, blaming the choice on Wan's choice of jumper: "He looked like Where's Wally but in black and white - the plays set in 1963 so it was perfect."

Wan said: "I had no idea I was going on the stage - I was mortified. It was very funny but don't sit in my seat - whatever that is." But he enjoyed the rest of the show, telling us it was "amazing, genius, brilliant, everyone has got to go and see it. I can't believe I missed it for so long."

With the show set to make way for Fatal Attraction in 2014 this could be the last chance to see the show in the West End. Tickets cost from £15 - £58.80, plus concessions and are available from the One Man Two Guvnors box office. The show is now booking until 1 March 2014.

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