One Man, Two Guvnors ****

Richard Bean’s gag-filled script gives little indication that rollicking new comedy is actually an updating of Italian playwright Goldoni’s mid-18th century commedia dell’artee work.

The action is transposed to seaside Brighton in 1963, where, unbeknownst to each other, both public school toff Stanley (hilarious Oliver Chris) and his girlfriend (cross-dressed as her gangster twin brother whom he’s just killed) are holed up in the Cricketers’ Arms.

With a skiffle group, a buxom bookkeeper, a posturing would-be thespian and Tom Edden’s doddery waiter (he’s 87 and it’s his first day at work) thrown into the mix of farce and slapstick, Nicholas Hytner’s production whizzes along.

And at the heart of it, James Corden’s increasingly flustered, food-fixated Francis juggles two masters, his ravenous appetite – and a delighted audience – to absolute perfection.

Lyttelton at the National, South Bank, SE1 9PX (020 7452 3000) Tube: Waterloo nationaltheatre.org.uk Until September 19 (£12 - £45.00)