Park Theatre – 19 March 2019
Reviewed by Jess Brady
4****
The life of David Thomlinson is not a story I thought I needed until my visit to the Park Theatre.
As the infamous “Mr Banks” from the Disney classic Mary Poppins David Tomlinson has been a huge part of people’s childhood memories, but the man behind the moustache and bowler hat faced many challenges and The Life I Lead takes you on the journey with Miles Jupp playing the historic patriarchal English gent.
As boy without much of a loving or present father in his life, it is almost incredible to think how David Tomlinson became one of the most recognised Father figures to last generations.
This one man show takes you on a biographical journey where Miles Jupp is simply but effectively telling the trials and tribulations of a gentleman who at his core was funny, kind and had a passion for performing. We go through the highs and lows of his careers in both WW2 as a pilot and as an actor from humble beginnings and more interestingly his relationship with his father.
Jupp is expertly directed by Selina Cadell and is a perfect choice for this role as he performs James Kettle’s words such passion and honestly as well as the perfect dose of humour too. The show is a homage to a charismatic man who experienced his fair share of heart break and loss and didn’t let it define him, only elevate him to be better.
If you ever wanted a nice piece of theatre that doesn’t try to change the world but instead entertains and enlightens you then The Life I Lead is a great choice for you. It’s inoffensive, up close and personal and will give you a warm sense of nostalgia which is something to be celebrated, as is the man David Tomlinson.