Oliver Chris 'One Man, Two Guvnors' interview

He's the comedy actor with two first names for a full name, tongue in cheek humour, and the star of the biggest comedy play to hit the West End this year. Yes, British Comedy Guide meets Oliver Chris of One Man, Two Guvnors.

The hit play is set in a 1960s Brighton and focuses on the big three: sex, food and money. Oliver, who plays Stanley Stubbers, is accompanied on stage by Jemima Rooper to make the 'Two Guvnors' - the 'One Man' being played by James Corden.

The initial plot is simple - Corden's character, Francis, takes a job with both Stanley and Rachel (Rooper) and, to avoid detection, must keep them both apart. However, Rachel is pretending to be her dead brother, who, incidentally, was killed by her lover - Stanley. Did we say simple?

One Man, Two Guvnors is British farce at its best and it's also Oliver Chris at his best. Here's what he had to say when Amy May Keenan met up with him...

What first interested you in this play?

I was working at the National Theatre and Nicholas Hytner (the director) asked me to be part of a workshop for a new, half-written Richard Bean comedy. That night I read what had been written so far and laughed until snot ran down my face. It's not often that you read something that just knocks you for six and I thought, 'man, I am having me some of this.'

We did the workshop over a couple of days and when Nick finally asked me to be in the play I yelled 'yes!' and nearly started crying. It was all a bit awkward...

What's your character like in the play?

He's a tall, posh, sexual deviant who's madly in love with his cockney girlfriend and is hiding out in Brighton after accidentally-on-purpose murdering her brother. He's awesome!

What has it been like working with James Corden and Jemima Rooper?

It's been awful. They are both VILE human beings. Jemima Rooper is a selfish actress who smells and I once saw James Corden kicking a child.

What has been your favourite part about working on 'One Man, Two Guvnors'?

The first preview was awesome because we had no idea what to expect. We'd been doing this 'crazy' comedy to a brick wall for 7 weeks, which wasn't the most rewarding audience, so on the first night we were all staggered at the response. It totally blew us away.

You've got an extensive acting career in comedy - is this your passion?

Well, my first acting job was on The Office and, after that, all the doors that opened were comedy ones. Comedy suits my personality though. I've always been a precocious little show-off with a dislike of authority and a love of mucking about!

What do you see yourself doing next?

I'll be doing One Man, Two Guvnors for the best part of another year but after that I have no idea. I don't really mind what I do: stage or TV. I'll pretty much do anything!

I'll probably just end up running a puppy farm in Norfolk though.

To find out more about 'One Man, Two Guvnors' visit www.onemantwoguvnors.com