A-list star Rupert Everett has a sheen about him that comes from decades on stage and screen. From his naughtiness alongside Julia Roberts in My Best Friend's Wedding to bringing alive Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband.
More commonly seen in theatres in London's West End, the chance to see the BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee performing live in Worcestershire seemed too good to be true. Malvern Theatres has a knack for attracting some of the biggest names and shows to its charming renovated complex and this is its latest coup.
Malvern is the closest the tour of A Voyage Round My Father starring Everett gets to Birmingham's theatre world. It stays at Malvern Theatres until Saturday November 4 and is just an hour away from Brum on the M5.
READ MORE:Get Disney Plus for just £1.99 a month
It's a gentle autobiographical play by John Mortimer, who is famous for writing the Rumpole of the Bailey stories, along with being the dad of actress Emily Mortimer.
This play looks back at Mortimer's early life in the shadow of his eccentric and brilliant barrister father, played by Everett. He was the kind of dominant figure that didn't let going blind in an accident hamper his career as a winning divorce lawyer. Yet his family were never allowed to mention his loss of sight.
Some of his escapades running rings around the competition in court adds zest to this sentimental tale, in a nod to much-loved Rumpole. It zips along with gentle humour but it is predominantly a family saga about the relationship between a father and son.
There's an impressive creative team behind this Theatre Royal Bath production too. It's directed by Olivier Award-winning Richard Eyre. He was the former Artistic Director at the National Theatre, also behind movies from Cate Blanchett film Notes On A Scandal to The Children Act with Emma Thompson.
Eyre keeps the story moving swiftly and has ensembled a fine cast to support Everett. Julian Wadham, instantly recognisable from films War Horse and The English Patient, takes on various roles in this two-hour play.
He gets the most laughs as a headmaster giving very outdated advice. His birds and the bees talk consists of telling young male pupils to take lots of cold showers or go for a run when they feel the urge.
POLL: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon baffle fans with Halloween costume as they say 'I don't get it'
That's the essence of this play - a nostalgic trip back to the 1930s to 1950s. We see how Everett's Father influences his Son, played by an excellent Jack Bardoe, in so many ways.
Deterring him from writing to become a barrister, urging him to find a job that's "not heroic" when World War Two starts and even trying to dissuade his son's fiance from marrying him.
Everett is mesmerising on stage and oozes class. He gives a thoroughly polished performance that comes with experience and talent.
His extra touches of detail make it believable that his character is completely blind. Make-up helps him age throughout the show but his mannerisms make it so much more authentic.
On top of that, Olivier and Tony Award winners for design and lighting, Bob Crowley and Hugh Vanstone are also involved. That explains why the staging is so impressive. Simple but impactful using screens to recreate forests and gardens that the Father loved so much.
A Voyage Round My Father is a tender and mellow story that's lifted by a first rate production. Everett proves beyond doubt what an exceptional acting talent he is in this classy, charming play. It's an extraordinary opportunity to see Everett up-close performing locally - make sure you don't miss out.
Quiz - Can you name these famous faces through old photos of Birmingham?
A Voyage Round My Father continues at Malvern Theatres until Saturday November 4. Tickets cost from £30.24 from the Malvern Theatres website here.
