What’s it all about?
This controversial piece is about the man who, until he died in 2011, was hailed by the vast majority of the country as “a national treasure” and “a hero”. Someone who “gave his life to helping the sick and the vulnerable” and “changed the country for the better.”
Except he wasn’t, was he? Some people knew this before the rest of us. There were the tortured individuals who experienced a different side of the TV presenter and charity fundraiser. And there were those who knew about it and chose to ignore it.
This play is about all of those individuals, and in particular one woman in the former category who had the strength to speak out, to tell those around her about the real Jimmy Savile, even if they refused to believe or accept it.
Based on real-life interviews with Savile’s victims, Jonathan Maitland’s disturbing drama interweaves this woman’s story with a This Is Your Life-style television show celebrating his life as a hero, a national treasure…
Who’s in it?
Alistair McGowan captures all the “Now thens” and “Yes yes yeses” with alarming accuracy. His Yorkshire accent can’t be faulted. Even his resemblance to Savile – the blue metallic tracksuit, the white blonde wig, the glasses, the cigar dangling from his fingers – is uncanny. From his performance, you couldn’t ask much more. It’s disgusting.
McGowan is joined by Leah Whitaker as Savile’s damaged yet determined victim, Graham Seed as the Michael Aspel-like TV presenter who helps hide his evils, and Charlotte Page and Robert Perkins as an array of characters, some of whom side with the Jim’ll Fix It star and others who are involved in the futile fight against him.
What should I look for?
Symptoms of sickness and nausea. But don’t worry, you’re not alone, you only need to look at the winces and strains visible on the faces of the audience members around you to know that.
In a nutshell?
Terrifyingly convincing and intentionally repulsive, Alistair McGowan conjures the ghost of one of the most detested men of our time in Jonathan Maitland’s informed and unsettling drama.
What’s being said on Twitter?
An Audience With Jimmy Savile @ParkTheatre is a well researched play exposing the monster behind the clown.
— Paul Vale (@paulvale126) June 11, 2015
Attended first preview of An Audience With Jimmy Savile this eve. Crucial to examine these events however vexatious, & theatre ideal space.
— Debbie Hicks (@DebJHicks) June 10, 2015
Will I like it?
Wow, what a question! This is the absolute epitome of uncomfortable viewing so… err… for the most part, probably not. Those who struggled with recent Royal Court hit The Nether should certainly avoid it. Jennifer Haley’s internet drama was a grim imagined future; An Audience With Jimmy Savile recounts a horrific and real past.
That said, anyone intrigued enough to make that courageous trip to the Park Theatre over the next month will no doubt find McGowan’s portrayal of the entertainer fascinatingly convincing and Maitland’s insight into this invincible monster compelling.
An Audience With Jimmy Savile is playing at the Park Theatre until 11 July. You can book tickets through the venue’s website.