One Man Two Guvnors, Witham Dramatic Club, Witham Public Hall

This was the play that revived James Corden’s career when it ran in London five years ago.

Corden was superb, but will acknowledge that with a script like this he couldn’t go far wrong.

Adam Williams is also superb here and squeezes every ounce of humour from a leading role that is partly slapstick – his argument and then fight with himself is beautifully done – partly droll and partly conspirational.

His asides to the audience are one of its highlights. It’s a device that can be corny if done badly but hilarious if done intelligently – as it was here.

Williams is ably supported by Nigel Northfield – good to see him back on stage – as the Kray-like father figure with some deftly delivered one-liners, Edward Groombridge, as the actorly Alan, and Corrina Wilson, making her debut for the society in an unusual non-singing role, at her feisty best as twins Rachel and Roscoe.

Andrew Jacobs has great fun with the physically demanding fall-about waiter Alfie with important contributions also from Peter Fishwick, Stephanie Wilson, Carolyn Horsfield and Michael Howard.

Nor should Rachael de Souza’s role be overlooked. She was dragged up on stage as an alleged member of the audience and had to undergo all sorts of torment before being sympathetically led off the stage.

By Ron Fosker