'I defy you, if you have a sense of humour, not to laugh out loud at the show': Norman Pace talks about his experience on the stage in hilarious comedy One Man, Two Guvnors

The story is set in Brighton in the sixties and focuses on the trials and tribulations of the easily confused Francis Henshall (played by Gavin Spokes). Fired from his skiffle band, Francis becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe. But Roscoe is really Rachel, posing as her own dead brother – who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers. Francis spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a job with one Stanley Stubbers – but to prevent discovery, he must keep his two guvnors apart.

Richard Bean’s side-splitting comedy, which has now been seen by over one million people, has a star-cast including former Eastenders actresses Jasmyn Banks and Emma Barton and actor and comedian Norman Pace.

Norman, who is perhaps best known as one half of famous comedy duo Hale and Pace, will be playing the character Charlie Clench; a role that he is confident is perfect for him.

Speaking to me from Leeds Grand Theatre, an hour before taking to the stage for a matinee showing, he said: “I wanted to be in the play since I went to see it in London. It’s the only time in my life that I have ever phoned my agent and said please, please, please get me an audition, I want to be in this!

“Charlie is a man who is in my age group. He's a cockney wide boy, wheeler dealer, Del Boy type character and my past has proved that I can play that kind of character, so it seemed a good fit and I was fortunate enough to get the role I wanted.”

So what can the Wycombe Swan audience expect from the National Theatre’s award-winning comedy? With a unique, laugh-out-loud mix of satire, songs, slapstick and glittering one-liners, Norman is confident the audience will love the play as much as he does.

“It’s going to be a night of hilarity for all. People from all classes, all ages will enjoy it. It’s one of those magic pieces of work that just appeals to everybody. I defy you, if you have a sense of humour, not to laugh out loud at the show. If your readers are going to spend one night in the theatre this year, let it be our show because they will have a great time.”

Norman has been playing Charlie since October after taking over from Shaun Williamson, and confesses he’s also having a great time touring the UK with his fellow cast members.

“It has been absolutely fantastic, I look forward to getting on stage every show and I work with a fantastic cast. I have to say that because one of them has just walked in the room, but honestly, they are a fabulous group of people and it’s just a pleasure to do the show because everybody who watches it has a ball.

“The interesting thing about it is you have to get it right so you have to make sure everyone has the same energy levels. We’re all trying to achieve the same kind of thing and fortunately the entire cast is on the ball with this. If you don’t keep the energy high, the comedy falls on the floor and nobody wants to be responsible for that so although we are having fun doing it, it’s also serious business!”

Despite being a seasoned television actor, Norman admits that he much prefers acting on the stage.

“The atmosphere on stage is amazing; it’s like a party in the theatre with a different group of people every night. I really enjoy that, whereas television is quite clinical, cold and impersonal and it’s really long, especially if you’re filming long days. My choice has been for the last ten years to do as much theatre as I possibly can because I enjoy it so much more.”

The smash-hit comedy has repeatedly received glowing reviews, but Norman is adamant that he never reads reviews of his performance.

“Oh no, I never read anything, no, no, no! A long time ago I got a bad one which I read and it haunted me so I decided not to read anything again because I don’t want to be upset. And also if they're good, you might start taking it easy and assume that it’s easy which it never is so I think it is best not to read any review until it’s finished.”

The play is so in-demand that it is even replacing Christmas pantomimes next month.

“Instead of a panto at the Theatre Royal Brighton, we’re down there for three weeks because they would rather have a play than a pantomime and our play fits that bill quite nicely because it’s actually set in Brighton so that will be really good.

“I finish playing Charlie on February 5 and I'm going to take a break because I did another tour before this one and I will have been on the road for a year. So I’m going to take a well-deserved break!”

One Man, Two Guvnors will be playing at the Wycombe Swan from December 2 to December 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets are limited, priced between £19 and £30.50 and available at www.wycombeswan.co.uk or by calling the ticket office on 01494 512000.