Surviving Spike, and much more, with Barrymore

Published on Friday 18 July 2008 13:46

MICHAEL BARRYMORE'S face breaks into a big smile when I enter Bill Kenwright's London office. "Hello again," he says, and not his trademark, 'Alwight'.

This is the second time I've met the lanky entertainer, so I have an idea what to expect – the first time, I didn't.

Hardly surprising really as, at the time, he had spent the best part of six years as tabloid fodder, following the tragic death of Stuart Lubbock.

To be honest, so much had been speculated about Barry-more and what happened that fateful night that I didn't really know if I even wanted to meet him, let alone spend time talking to him. Would I be greeted by the bubbly gameshow host? Or by the shambling figure depicted in snatched press shots? Perhaps I'd find some creepy, self-pitying creature? As it turned out he was none of these.

That interview took place in his dressing room at the Sunderland Empire, where Barrymore was playing the lead in Scrooge – in many ways his comeback gig.

Sitting, dressed in a white towelling robe, he proved a candid, if physically fragile subject. His usual rapid-fire delivery had slowed considerably and, much to my surprise, as we talked I found I actually liked the guy.

In the past I'd always been sceptical when reading comments about the support he had received from the public in the aftermath of that dark night. Yet, from earlier that afternoon it was clear that people do have an empathy with the star. And not just his fans, hard-bitten, cynical stage people too.

One thing I have learned is that if you want an honest opinion about a showbiz-name, ask a member of the backstage crew. They don't suffer fools gladly.

At the Empire it was obvious everyone was looking out for the troubled star. The door man was suspicious when I asked to see him and the company manager who introduced us was incredibly protective of his charge. Backstage people only do that when they like someone. How else would tales of a certain pop star-turned musical theatre performer demanding bigger SOLD OUT signs when he appeared at The Playhouse leak out?

But back to Barrymore, who it is now easy to forget was one of the country's best-loved entertainers in the 80s and 90s when he hosted the likes of My Kind Of People.

Next month he'll have a chance to gauge his popularity when he stars in Surviving Spike at the Assembly Rooms, in which he plays another troubled funnyman, Spike Milligan.

And going by our latest meeting – read the interview in The Festival Guide on August 1 – he's getting back to his old form. That said, the fact that it is the second time theatrical impresario Bill Kenwright has cast him in one of his productions means that he, at least, believes Barrymore still has enough public support to be bankable.

And if Surviving Spike is a success, there are whispers it could transfer to the West End. Could Edinburgh be about to witness Michael Barrymore finally strike it lucky again?