ANGELA THORNE, BRIGIT FORSYTH & SYLVESTER Mccoy

Press Release

Theatre Royal Bath present Robert Powell in Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell By Keith Waterhouse, Based on the writings of Jeffrey Bernard

Listings Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell Mon 6 - Sat 11 June Mon - Sat eves 7.45pm, Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm RICHMOND THEATRE The Green, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1QJ Box Office: 0844 871 7651 (fees apply) www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond (fees apply) Tickets - £14 - £29 (Premium seats available) Press Night – Mon 25 July Mid-Week Meet! Weds 8 Jun eve - £5 ROBERT POWELL plays the tour-de-force title role in Keith Waterhouse’s award-winning play Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell

Robert Powell stars in Keith Waterhouse’s gloriously funny comedy Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell which comes to Richmond Theatre for one week only from Monday 6th June.

In a life devoted to alcohol, gambling and women, the ever-charming Jeffrey Bernard distinguished himself by excess. Famously inspired by Jeffrey Bernard’s colourful contributions to the Spectator’s ‘Low Life’ column, fellow Fleet Street legend Keith Waterhouse created this gloriously funny and occasionally poignant production.

Winner of the Evening Standard’s Best Comedy Award 1990, Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell finds the journalist trapped overnight in his favourite Soho pub. A host of ex-wives, friends and enemies join him in retracing scenes from a life delightfully devoted to alcohol, gambling and women and packed with hilarious and absurd incidents

Robert Powell plays the tour-de-force title role, which was immortalised in the original production by Peter O’Toole. Equally adept at portraying heroes or villains, Robert Powell is best known for playing Jesus in Jesus of Nazareth and Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps and Hannay and has also starred in The Detectives with Jasper Carrott and as consultant nurse Mark Williams in Holby City, a part he played from 2005 until January of this year. He is joined by a cast of 4, who between them recreate the 55 characters who come to pay Bernard a visit at The Coach and Horses pub.

The cast also includes: Mark Hadfield, whose television and film credits include Doc Martin, Foyle’s War and A Cock and Bull Story. On stage, he has worked with the RSC many times and other credits include Don Juan and Man and Superman. Rebecca Lacey’s numerous television roles include Irene in Monarch of the Glen, Dr George Woodman in Casualty and Hilary in May to December. Peter Bramhill received a nomination for the Ian Charleson Award for his role in Thomas More for the RSC and the cast is completed by Amy Hall (Present Laughter and The Hour We Knew Nothing Of Each Other, National Theatre).

RICHMOND THEATRE LTD Richmond Theatre The Green Richmond TW9 1QJ Box Office 0844 871 7651 Stage Door 020 8332 4500 Facsimile 020 8332 4509 www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond Press Release

Keith Waterhouse’s prolific output encompassed Billy Liar, screenplays for Whistle Down The Wind and A Kind of Loving and the television adaptation of Worzel Gummidge. As an award-winning journalist he wrote regularly for Punch, the Daily Mail and the Mirror and in 2004 he was voted Britain’s most admired contemporary columnist by the British Journalism Review.

This is the first major revival of Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell since Keith Waterhouse’s death in 2009. Peter O’Toole performed in the original production, which played Bath before its West End premiere in 1989.

Director David Grindley’s many credits include Crown Matrimonial and Blackbird, both of which toured to Bath in 2008; Abigail's Party (Hampstead Theatre and West End), which played the Theatre Royal in 2004; Pygmalion (with Claire Danes, Roundabout Theatre Company); Honour (Wyndham's Theatre, West End); What the Butler Saw (Hampstead Theatre and West End); National Anthems with Kevin Spacey (The Old Vic); The Philanthropist (Donmar Warehouse); and Journey's End (Olivier Award nominated and Tony Award-winning revival, West End and Broadway), which returns to Bath next month.

Theatre Royal Bath Productions have an enviable reputation as producers of some of the most popular touring productions in recent years, many of which have transferred to the West End to great acclaim. Recent productions include Blithe Spirit starring Alison Steadman, Hermione Norris and Robert Bathurst, The Rivals starring Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles, Mrs Warren’s Profession starring Felicity Kendall, 2 sell out tours and a West End run of Enjoy starring Alison Steadman and The History Boys starring Philip Franks.

‘One of the greatest comic creations of our day’ Financial Times

‘A first-rate play, Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell is witty, humane, generous and sad’ Guardian

‘A glorious entertainment from the very best of Bernard’s worst moments’ Daily Mail

For further press information, to request interviews or review tickets please contact Charlotte Twining, Press Officer, on 020 8332 4521 or email [email protected]

RICHMOND THEATRE LTD Richmond Theatre The Green Richmond TW9 1QJ Box Office 0844 871 7651 Stage Door 020 8332 4500 Facsimile 020 8332 4509 www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond