Julie Burchill returns to Soho

Comedian Jackie Clune takes the lead role

By Louise Waters BBC News Online

Julie Burchill Is Away spans a few hours in the life of the controversial writer who started her career as a "hip young gunslinger" on the NME and won a reputation as one of Britain's most outrageous and vitriolic journalists.

The action takes place in Burchill's fuchsia coloured, sparsely-furnished living room in Hove, Brighton, as she prepares for an interview with a Times journalist while trying to skive off writing her weekly column for the Guardian.

A bust of Lenin adorns the mantelpiece and five dolls decorate the windowsill - "one for each of my abortions" she informs the audience proudly.

Clune plays the role with affection

The one-woman play opens with the protagonist in fine fettle, flicking through the tabloids and giving her forthright opinions on whatever catches her eye.

Burchill is performed by comedian Jackie Clune, who retains the writer's west country vowels but jettisons her high-pitched lisp.

Clune's interpretation is witty and mischievous and, through her, Burchill is given free rein to respond to her critics.

The audience does not witness the interview with the reporter but we are left in no doubt about her contempt for those with "media studies degrees" who have "no talent for communicating".

She boasts about her own writing talents and relishes a quote from one critic who described her writing as similar to having "someone take their knickers off and throw them in your face".

As expected, her two favourite subjects - "middle class phonies" and ex-husbands - crop up regularly.

To begin with I used to just play Julie Burchill, then eventually I became her

She describes her first sexual experience with Tony Parsons (writer and ex-husband) as "a cross between someone standing on my toe and having a tooth pulled without anaesthetic".

Her rejection of the establishment is encapsulated in her pronouncement that "come to our home for dinner" are, in her opinion, "the six most chilling words in the English language".

At times the relentless diatribe against everyone that isn't her starts to pall but the occasional well placed gem rescues the play from sounding like an extended Guardian column.

Although she rejects vehemently the idea of therapy ("the over examined life ends up not worth living"), the play does offer analysis into Burchill's own behaviour: "To begin with I used to just play Julie Burchill, then eventually I became her."

Burchill apparently collaborated with this production and she says people who watch this play will think "she's a worse person than ever" and that "suits her fine".

However, it is clear that the affection with which Clune portrays her, and the sparkling dialogue provided by playwright Tim Fountain, will cement her reputation as a talented, intelligent writer with a terrific sense of humour.

Julie Burchill is Away, written by Tim Fountain and directed by Jonathon Lloyd is on at the Soho Theatre in London until 13 July.