DOWNING my eighth vodka in the Rose Theatre bar before Monday night's performance, I pondered with some scorn the ridiculous clich that all journalists are heavy-drinking slobs.

But on a more serious note I was thoroughly impressed with the evening's entertainment that followed - despite the damage done to the image of my noble profession by the larger-than-life legend that is Jeffrey Bernard.

Our dishevelled hero - four-times married, alcoholic gambler and (most weeks, unless he is "unwell" as the title suggests) Spectator columnist - emerges from the lavatories at the Coach and Horses, where he had fallen asleep when time was called, to find himself locked in for the night.

He proceeds to entertain himself by polishing off a bottle of vodka - and entertains the audience with a series of rambling anecdotes about his colourful life, aided by a host of guest appearances by characters from his past.

Colin Young in the title role cuts a charismatic figure - no easy feat when you are portraying a character previously brought to life by the likes of Peter O'Toole, Tom Conti, James Bolam and Dennis Waterman.

And the intimate setting of The Rose's studio makes the audience feel part of his saloon bar world, making this Keith Waterhouse play, which runs until Saturday, all the more memorable.

AMD