Owain Arthur is currently playing Francis Henshall in One Man, Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Next year Owain will play Francis Henshall in the UK and international tour of One Man, Two Guvnors. Owain has also been seen in Nicholas Hytner’s National Theatre production of The History Boys, as well as Romeo and Juliet for the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Comedy of Errors for the Royal Exchange Theatre and Birdsong at the Comedy Theatre. On television his credits include Holby City, Ddeg, Cei Bach, New Tricks and The Palace. His film credits include Abroad, Mr Nice and Eldra. Owain chats to West End Frame about his co-stars, performing 8 shows a week and what he would be doing now if he hadn't become an actor...
You have been in One Man, Two Guvnors for some time now. Are you still enjoying it?
Yes, I’m still enjoying it. It’s hard work but I’m definitely still enjoying it. Getting to please audiences night after night is such a treat for an actor as you rarely get to do that every day so the enjoyment is definitely still there
Yes, I’m still enjoying it. It’s hard work but I’m definitely still enjoying it. Getting to please audiences night after night is such a treat for an actor as you rarely get to do that every day so the enjoyment is definitely still there
Why do you think One Man, Two Guvnors is so popular with audiences?
Because the show is so good. I don’t think people expect to see a farce from the National or even in the West End so audiences who come to see it, not knowing what to expect, get a lot of enjoyment out of it because of the nature of the show itself. It’s a very good adaptation from Richard Bean. People get to come and see the show and let their hair down. I had one person come up to me and say "This show should be on the NHS" because laughter is such good therapy. This was such a huge compliment.
Because the show is so good. I don’t think people expect to see a farce from the National or even in the West End so audiences who come to see it, not knowing what to expect, get a lot of enjoyment out of it because of the nature of the show itself. It’s a very good adaptation from Richard Bean. People get to come and see the show and let their hair down. I had one person come up to me and say "This show should be on the NHS" because laughter is such good therapy. This was such a huge compliment.
What are the rest of the cast like to work with?
Great. Every single one of them. Not just the cast but the whole company as well. Everyone who works behind the scenes, the producers, the directors.... everybody! We all get so much enjoyment both on and off stage - it makes you think really! It’s all good fun and games.
Great. Every single one of them. Not just the cast but the whole company as well. Everyone who works behind the scenes, the producers, the directors.... everybody! We all get so much enjoyment both on and off stage - it makes you think really! It’s all good fun and games.
Performing 8 shows a week must be tough, how do you keep your performance fresh each night?
When I am not on stage I am at home recovering. I’ve never been in a show before where I have had to look after myself and keep myself fit and healthy so I can do every show. But I suppose the show is so unpredictable and it’s quite easy to keep my performance fresh as we have so much fun as an ensemble.
When I am not on stage I am at home recovering. I’ve never been in a show before where I have had to look after myself and keep myself fit and healthy so I can do every show. But I suppose the show is so unpredictable and it’s quite easy to keep my performance fresh as we have so much fun as an ensemble.
What do you think you would be doing now if you hadn’t become an actor?
That’s a tough one because I’ve been an actor since the age of 11 meaning it has always been on the cards. I dreamt about being a footballer or a racing car driver, like most teenage boys. My mum wanted me to be a doctor… because she’s a nurse. But who knows?! Maybe even a banker?! I have no idea whatsoever.
That’s a tough one because I’ve been an actor since the age of 11 meaning it has always been on the cards. I dreamt about being a footballer or a racing car driver, like most teenage boys. My mum wanted me to be a doctor… because she’s a nurse. But who knows?! Maybe even a banker?! I have no idea whatsoever.
Maybe being an actor is slightly more fun...
Well it is at the moment, yes. Being an actor has its up and downs but luckily I am on a big up at the moment so it’s easy to answer that. Sometimes as an actor you crave a steady job where you don’t have to constantly go to auditions and compete against people every single day. The competition is fierce.
Well it is at the moment, yes. Being an actor has its up and downs but luckily I am on a big up at the moment so it’s easy to answer that. Sometimes as an actor you crave a steady job where you don’t have to constantly go to auditions and compete against people every single day. The competition is fierce.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors?
Go for it if you know this is what you want. Being an actor is full of ups and downs, and you’ve got to take the downs. You have to see being down as a positive and if you still want to be an actor then go for it! Otherwise you can just become a banker... or a footballer... or a racing car driver...
Go for it if you know this is what you want. Being an actor is full of ups and downs, and you’ve got to take the downs. You have to see being down as a positive and if you still want to be an actor then go for it! Otherwise you can just become a banker... or a footballer... or a racing car driver...
Apart from One Man, Two Guvnors, what is your favourite show in the West End right now?
It’s hard to say as I have been in the West End with One Man, Two Guvnors since November so I don’t get the chance to see much. I would love to have seen Noises Off because I love a good comedy, they keep me going. In terms of musicals I recently saw Ghost with Mark Evans which I enjoyed. I would like to see Yes, Prime Minister... Chariots Of Fire... I would like to see all of them! Everybody just likes to sit down and be entertained so I would like to see every single one of them!
It’s hard to say as I have been in the West End with One Man, Two Guvnors since November so I don’t get the chance to see much. I would love to have seen Noises Off because I love a good comedy, they keep me going. In terms of musicals I recently saw Ghost with Mark Evans which I enjoyed. I would like to see Yes, Prime Minister... Chariots Of Fire... I would like to see all of them! Everybody just likes to sit down and be entertained so I would like to see every single one of them!
What other roles would you like to play in the future?
I would like to do something completely different. If I’m doing a tragedy then I want to do a comedy next. If I’m doing a comedy then I want to do a tragedy next. When I’m doing stage work I want to do TV work next. When I’m doing TV I want to do film. I like to keep moving and doing as many different things as possible.
I would like to do something completely different. If I’m doing a tragedy then I want to do a comedy next. If I’m doing a comedy then I want to do a tragedy next. When I’m doing stage work I want to do TV work next. When I’m doing TV I want to do film. I like to keep moving and doing as many different things as possible.
Finally, what would you like to say to everyone who has supported you throughout your career?
Wow! Well I have to say thank you! Thank you to the people who have employed me and for having faith in me, for believing I could bring something new to the roles I have played. The thing is you have to be thankful and grateful for everything you have, no matter what it is.
Follow Owain on Twitter: @OwainArthur
Visit www.onemantwoguvnors.com to find out more about the show and to book tickets.
Photo Credit: Johan Persson
Wow! Well I have to say thank you! Thank you to the people who have employed me and for having faith in me, for believing I could bring something new to the roles I have played. The thing is you have to be thankful and grateful for everything you have, no matter what it is.
Follow Owain on Twitter: @OwainArthur
Visit www.onemantwoguvnors.com to find out more about the show and to book tickets.
Photo Credit: Johan Persson
Follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest theatre news, reviews and interviews: @West_End_Frame
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