JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL.

London

JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL
by Keith Waterhouse

Garrick Theatre
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat & 21 June, 5, 19 July, 2, 16, 39 August 3pm
Runs 2hr 20min One interval

TICKETS: 0870 890 1104 (booking fee £2.50 max per ticket)
Review: Timothy Ramsden 20 June

Vodka, women and racing – a micro-world revealed.
The woman behind me and her friend Sylv, non-smokers and non-drinkers, declared themselves unsympathetic to this play’s hero. Jeffrey Bernard (the emphasis in the surname’s on the last syllable), born in 1932, was intended for irreproachable respectability in the Navy. But in his early teens Jeff visited Soho and found his empire in its small acreage of oblivion and wit.

As a serial-drinker he avoided the alcoholic’s character scar of maudlin tedium; his own wit, and perception, shone brighter than ever. Surviving on casual jobs and freelance journalism he found eventual fame in a near-regular Spectator ‘Low Life’ column (the magazine loyally carried this play’s title in weeks when drink kept Jeff from writing). These pieces, and others, are patched in with material by Keith Waterhouse to form this show.

It supposes Jeff locked in overnight at Soho’s ‘Coach and Horses’ (a dingy tavern given drunken perspectives by designer John Gunter). Unable to rouse notoriously rude landlord Norman Balon, he regales us with stories while putting his drinks on the slate, honest in his affairs as candid in his reflections - though totally unreliable in relationships; editors and women regularly gave up on him.

Part of his charm lies in simultaneously revelling in this lifestyle and being aware of his addictions (add backing horses to the list); he’s indignant when hospitalised for something he hadn’t brought on himself. Bores are his greatest fear and loathing. Within his world he’s charming even in adversity. But contempt comes briefly through in the portrait of ‘Mr and Mrs Backbone’ of England, their vacuity feeding emptily off each other.

The piece contains many character cameos; a good punchline on the page doesn’t often transfer to a stage exit-line and Ned Sherrin’s production often leaves actors mugging their way to the wings. Fortunately, it’s also filled with Tom Conti’s performance. Less ruined magnificence than Peter O’Toole’s original creation, his Jeffrey has shuffled through life, taking us into his confidence like long-time drinking partners. Jeffrey’s wasn’t a life for many to live, but Conti’s re-creation admirably shows why he was so respected by so many friends.

Jeffrey Bernard: Tom Conti
Everyone else: Royce Mills, Elizabeth Payne, Tristan Gemmill, Nina Young

Director: Ned Sherrin
Designer: John Gunter
Lighting: Leonard Tucker
Sound: Gareth Owen for Orbital

2006-06-21 11:19:14