JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL REVIEW/Coach & Horses, Soho until 9 June 2019
Heather Jeffery • May 16, 2019
JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL by Keith WaterhouseNorman’s Coach & Horses 7 May – 9 June 2019
'Tour de force performance from Robert Bathurst as iconic journalist Jeffrey Bernard in this immersive drama' ★★★★★
Two people are immortalised in Keith Waterhouse’s play; London journalist and alcoholic, Jeffrey Bernard who is locked overnight in The Coach & Horses Soho, and Norman the landlord. The infamous Bernard was with us in spirit in the guise of Robert Bathurst, giving a tour de force performance in this immersive production superbly directed by James Hillier. Ninety-two year old Norman was also with us, in person, enjoying a ringside seat.
This is the real beauty of the production, the audience is part of the set as we witness what happens the night Jeffrey Bernard is accidentally locked in the pub. He shares his ironic observations of his fellow boozers and the things they all got up to, whilst occasionally trying to phone Norman who isn’t picking up the phone.
Robert Bathurst, best known as one of the stars of award-winning comedy-drama series Cold Feet and historic-period drama Downton Abbey, gives us a loveable Jeffrey Bernard. A man of sharp wits sharing his stories of life, high and low, and his own misdemeanours. The punters he is chatting with (the audience) were physically involved in the betting race and witnessed his ‘egg trick’ up close. It could have been a very messy business but it came off perfectly.
A top-drawer performance all round.
The play has already sold out once and now has an extended run, with a few tickets being held for each of the extra performances. It is a unique experience, one which the current Landlord Alastair Choat would love to share with audiences into the future, with other theatre productions being planned. Let us all hope that he wins his long-running battle with Fullers to extend his lease (beyond June of this year) keeping alive part of the history of Soho.
It’s a slice of historic London life worth preserving for future generations to enjoy.
Photo Credit Tom Howard
Reviewer Heather Jeffery is founder and Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine www.londonpubtheatres.com @pubtheatres1 (Email: hjwrites@aol.com)
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