John Gordon Sinclair is set to star as the Professor of crime who masterminds a daring robbery and uses the subsiding house of a sweet little old lady in King’s Cross as a hideout. Sinclair, best known for his performances in She Loves Me, Sweet Panic, Ben Elton’s Gasping, Filumena and Ayckbourn's comedy Absurd Person Singular with Jane Horrocks, will be playing the role for the first time and is set to stamp his unique style on the challenging role.
Completing the villainous gang who masquerade as members of a classical string quintet will be Ralf Little, Con O'Neill and Chris McCalphy. Little, star of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and The Royle Family was previously nominated for an Olivier for his performance in Notes on Falling Leaves at the Royal Court. His numerous television credits include The Flint Street Nativity, Married Single Other, Paradise Heights and The Café on Sky 1, which he co-wrote.
Adding a new comic dimension to the role of The Major is veteran actor and former stand-up comedian Simon Day who extensive repertoire includes roles in Holby City, Heartbeat and The Bill. Day is set to bring his superbly shifty quality as the bogus major.
In this timeless comedy, the sweet, eccentric and unsuspecting Mrs Wilberforce will be played by Angela Thorne who is fondly remembered as Marjory Frobisher in To the Manor Born. Thorne's West End credentials are undoubted with starring roles in Night Must Fall, Happy Family and Communicating Doors.
The five flawed criminals may fail to uphold their disguise as a practicing string quintet, but the skill of the comedic quintet of actors will be undoubtedly excellent. The new cast are set to make this West End comedy a major hit and a must see this summer.