What better place to revive Keith Waterhouse’s comedy, Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell, albeit in abtidged form, than in the actual Coach and Horses pub in Soho?
This version has been running on and off for a few years, with James Hillier as adaptor/director and Robert Bathurst as performer/executive producer.
In a role originated by Peter O’Toole and based on the columnist Jeffrey Bernard, there are big and larger than life shoes to fill.
The play’s title comes from the habitual excuse for the column’s non-appearance in The Spectator. Bernard was at best unreliable and, at worst – well, worse.
Taking a seat near the door and by the bar in an already crowded little space (I know the play; I won’t miss much), I’m curious how this will work. There’s a ripple of anticipation; my seat neighbour is a long-time regular here.
Bathurst appears behind the bar. Jeffrey is locked in the Coach and Horses, goes to the door, utters a half-hearted “help”. It’s early in the morning, and he’s already home, with the drink supply on hand.
Walking through the small pub so everyone gets to see at least something of what’s going on, Bathurst’s Jeffrey is funny, engaging, and likeable. Waterhouse’s portrait is clearly an affectionate one.
The audience is occasionally called on to participate in the action – this version is a one-man show, with no supporting characters visible in life but very much there in imagination.
There’s a cassette player (which causes unscripted amusement at one point) with answerphone messages from a lady who informs Jeffrey, “You make me sick.” An overhang from the old version.
If you know the play, you’ll be glad to know the egg, the cats, and the framed picture of Lester Piggott survive. It’s a brisk and hilarious hour, surrounded by pictures and cartoons referencing the real Bernard.
This is a little gem. You get the chance to see and hear a wonderful turn by Bathurst (yes, he isn’t O’Toole, but who is?) who makes the role squarely his own, resigned to living out of a suitcase and falling asleep on the loo.
And the site-specific venue is great, only using additional stage lighting once. Otherwise, we’re locked in with Jeffrey and his ramblings, and it’s a blast.
It’s only running for a few weeks, so grab a ticket if you can – head to the show website.
*****
Image credit: Tom Howard