MANY of us have been there. A few too many beers, time on our hands and one earth-shattering question – what is the meaning of life?

For Jeffrey Bernard, it’s vodka – and several side portions of cigarettes – that sees him falling asleep in his local pub one night and waking to find he’s locked in.

And the Powell Theatre on Church Street was the perfect, intimate setting for what happened next – two hours learning about what life in Soho was like “when you could find yourself drunk, penniless and alone on less than a pound”.

Hereford’s own Robert Traynor – who has frequented the stage at The Courtyard and also played Boris the Spy in ChittyChitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium – played columnist Jeffrey Bernard.

Known for his weekly column, Low Life, in The Spectator magazine, Jeffrey earned himself quite a reputation as a gambler, womaniser and chronic drunk.

The play's title actually refers to the magazine's habit of printing a one-line apology on a blank page when Jeffrey was either too drunk or hung-over to write his piece and a substitute could not be found.

It was the first time the show, written by Keith Waterhouse, has been staged in Hereford and went ahead under the direction of Antony Jenkins after local theatre group Exit Fool Productions obtained the rights to perform it.

It’s hard to believe that one man can remember so many lines but Robert Traynor did it with ease, steering the audience through the outrageous, brutally fun and sometimes emotional scenarios of his life.

But the four other members of the cast also proved there is huge talent to be found in Herefordshire as they took on the roles of Jeffrey’s former editors, friends, wives and several other characters.

Highlights included the ‘egg trick’ involving a glass of water, matchbox, egg and nerves on the audience's part and cat racing starring Kier Hardie, George Landsbury and Samantha.

Overall, a fabulous evening of entertainment with a realistic set and a sterling, talented cast.

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