IF anyone was working overtime at the Queen’s Hall in Hexham over three action-packed evenings, it was Richard Gardner.

For playing the part of Francis Henshall, a cockney geezer with two jobs and two bosses, his time on-stage was chaotic to say the least.

With timely gags, audience interaction and a gripping plot, One Man Two Guvnors was a thoroughly entertaining watch.

The Queen’s Hall Theatre Club excelled in this 1960s-based comedy, a modern take on Carlo Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters.

Gardner was the star of the show, blagging and charming his way through a chronicle of adventures after becoming employed separately by local gangster Roscoe Crabbe and upper class criminal, Stanley Stubbers.

Keen to ensure his two governors never meet each other, the socially inept Francis has no idea that the pair are in fact lovers.

For gangster Roscoe Crabbe is actually dead, and is represented on stage by his twin sister Rachel Crabbe (Emily MacDonald), who still harbours feelings for the man who killed him, Stanley (David Nixon).

The sharp-suited Stanley enjoys the high life. A night club owner with a penchant for fine dining, he made Henshall work hard for his money, lifting heavy trunks and more, but ensured laughs aplenty with a series of toffee-nosed phrases.

In one restaurant scene, where Francis is waiting on both of his bosses while they dine in separate rooms, teenager Josh Knowles showed off his undoubted talent, as one half of a double act of waiters, Gareth and Alfie (Phil Carden).

The pair were tasked with training the hapless Francis, and enduring his inadequacies.

A high-class disciplinarian, the young Knowles delivered challenging lines and gags to great effect.

Carden was good too, his character having had his recently-fitted pacemaker turned up several notches, and struggled to help Francis’ overcome his difficulties.

There was love rivalry, for the would-be actor Alan Dangle (James Gardner), brought Shakespearean tragedy to the Queen’s Hall stage his in efforts to keep his bride-to-be Pauline Clench (Katie Reilly) from the clutches of Roscoe.

Pauline’s father Charlie Clench (Ian Lockey) was another cockney wide-boy. His prison past was frequently brought up by ex-cellmate Lloyd Boateng (Frank Okongwu), now a reformed character.

There were more vital ingredients, including book-keeper Dolly (Jill Oakley), a Northern girl who was Francis’ love interest throughout.

More entertainment was provided by solicitor Harry Dangle (Benny Grace), policeman Ian Graves, and singers Kerry Blake and Ruby Westlake.

Sporting sixties dresses and hairdos, the vocal pair performed instantly recognisable hits from the era, including Cilla Black’s Anyone Who Had A Heart.

Three members of the audience did end up playing significant parts on stage, including one who ended up under a table and behind the statue of a cricketer.

Directed by Moya Holmes, this was a thoroughly professional production with a set, props, music, sound and lighting all which complemented an immensely talented cast.

Joseph Tulip