THE multi-talented actor, artist, playwright and adaptor Clive Francis has turned his pen to Graham Green’s comic novel Our Man in Havana to create a fast and furious visit to the Caribbean where the world’s most unlikely spy is recruited to help the British intelligence service in the time following the second world war and before the rise of Che Guevara.

James Wormold is a vacuum cleaner salesman in the capital of Cuba, looking after his teenage daughter Millie after the death of his wife. The glamourous policeman who has caught her eye has a torturous reputation. She wants a horse for her 19th birthday, and Wormold has no money … and the sales of electric cleaners are not what you’d call brisk. Enter a very proper English sort who it turns out is in Cuba to recruit agents, and hey presto Wormold becomes Our Man in Havana, charged with lining up more informants who can alert the British Government to what’s going on, and who is backing it.

Of course, our hero has no idea what to do, but quickly spots a way to augment his salary to pay off his debts to the American bank and fulfil Millie’s desires. Imaginary agents are recorded, and their expenses paid by the Treasury. I couldn’t help wondering what Boris might have made of the job.

The large cast of characters is played by four actors, all except Jack Ashton hopping from accent to accent and outfit to outfit in double-quick time as the complicated story unfolds. Bob Barrett, Leon Ockenden and Jodie Steele bring to life waiters, doctors, police, cleaner-salesmen, bankers, tarts, dancers, bankers, secretaries and various Cuban low lifers with huge assurance and skill. There is no time to draw breath – and that’s some feat in the middle of a heatwave!

If you are a fan of recent productions of Travels with My Aunt and The 39 Steps you’ll love this espionage escapade – just the thing for the summer.

Our Man in Havana is at Salisbury Playhouse until Saturday, and at Bath Theatre Royal from 4th to 8th August.

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