Tories flock to see stage trial

Tory cronies trooped out to support Jeffrey Archer on his West End acting debut last night in what must count as one of the most bizarre occasions in the history of London theatre.

In real life, of course, Lord Archer is awaiting trial at the Old Bailey on five counts including perjury and perverting the course of justice. On the stage, Jeffrey Archer the actor was in the dock in his drama, The Accused, playing a consultant charged with poisoning his wife.

Supporters in the audience included former Tory heavyweights Sir Norman Fowler, Lord Wakeham, Lord Weatherill, Sir Brian Mawhinney and Peter Lilley. Sir Norman said: "I thought he did extremely well. Any actor would have been proud of that performance."

Newspaper reviewers did not agree. Daily Mail critic Michael Coveney wrote: "Watching Jeffrey perform is like watching a talking clock trying vainly to speak. Even his very appearance on the stage in front of a paying audience is a total, not unamusing affront."

Charles Spencer in The Telegraph said: "Archer can't spot a cliche without rushing to embrace it like a long lost chum and his writing has all the lightness of the suet pudding they used to serve at my prep school. When you remember the wonderful entertainment John Mortimer got out of Rumpole of the Bailey, you quickly realise that the only decent joke of which Archer is capable is his own preposterous self-importance."