In the play, which will be directed by Harry Burton, "freedom finally beckons for Algie Packer, Essex’s most notorious gangster. He's done seven years inside and now he's coming home to collect his booty - £3,672,000 in untraceable notes. But there's something Algie’s family have forgotten to mention, and they desperately attempt to cover their tracks before he arrives..."

Evans, who originated the role of Leo Bloom in the West End production of The Producers and has also been seen onstage in Endgame (opposite Michael Gambon) and The Dumb Waiter, plays hapless, dim-witted Darnley, the village idiot of the criminal underworld, with Hancock (whose recent London stage credits include The Last of the Duchess and Sister Act) as his mother Emmie - family's Rottweiler with a hairdo.

Exton has previously written TV's "10 Rillington Place," "Poirot" and "Jeeves and Wooster."

Casting is by Anne Vosser. The producers are Michael Edwards and Carole Winter for MJE Productions.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 482 5120, or visit www.barkinginessex.com for more details.