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A great voyage around Father
A Voyage Around My Father
Wyndham Theatre
WHEN presented with Derek Jacobi’s performance of John Mortimer’s blind barrister father it is easy to see where the writer’s famous character, Old Bailey veteran Rumpole, emerged.
Irascible, lover of court room confrontation and agent provocateur, the play, which has transferred to Wyndham’s Theatre after a successful run at the Donmar, bears all the hallmarks which are so familiar with Rumpole.
Derek Jacobi captivates as Father, taking the audience through a series of funny and touching vignettes covering the later years of his life from the freak gardening accident that caused his blindness when his son was six to his death.
Father has a hatred of visitors and lives in a small house surrounded by a huge garden which he tends lovingly. He is determinedly contrary, dismissing education as a waste of time (teachers are “second-rate minds”) and advising his young son that all advice is useless.
But in this household no one ever mentions Father’s blindness, his wife and family act as his eyes.
Readers of Rumpole will immediately recognise several phrases that have now become catch phrases for Mortimer’s famous defence barrister.
Money from Father goes to keeping his wife in “Vim” and “pan scourers” and Father is even a lover of H Rider Haggard, from where “She Who Must be Obeyed,” Rumpole’s name for his wife Hilda, materialised.
The large cast – 17 actors share the roles – are universally excellent. Dominic Rowan as the son copes well with the demand of being on stage throughout, linking the story.
But Jacobi is the real star. He is funny, warm, biting and bold. He attacks the role with gusto, provoking chuckles throughout and the moment when he dies is deeply moving, convincing and impressive.
CNJ booking line:
0870 040 0700
Until Dec 16
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