The play is deeply affecting in its honesty and fondness for the good times, the anecdotes that make you smile and cry.  Paul Jesson has retained his ability to make us believe every word he says and you will feel compassion for this brave man in revealing his vulnerability to take to the stage again after such physical trauma. 

Directing this play is Clarissa Brown who is a friend and colleague of both Paul Jesson and Richard Nelson; she adds to the truth shown here and she knows Devon well.  Travelling on the slower train, the actor has time to reminisce about the places he passes through and the people associated with them.  The journey to the village of Farway is a celebration of quintessential Englishness and countryside.  The embarrassing funeral is described where Edward Thomas’s poem “Adlestrop”, based on a railway journey the poet took, was badly read out to a wincing congregation.  

There are many theatrical stories, one about Olivier playing Othello at the Old Vic with insight into the actor’s art.  An Actor Convalescing in Devon is a good companion piece to the Sarah Siddons play in Hampstead’s Main House The Divine Mrs S as the actor here reflects on thespian creativity and the importance of the role of an audience.  This intelligent play is very well written and helps you appreciate the quality of life through this tenacious and courageous actor’s compelling and involving narrative.

Highly recommended!