Two halves of Guinness at Arlington

Reflections of a national treasure of British theatre

Sir Alec Guinness hated being famous just for Star Wars, and Two halves of Guinness, at Arlington Arts on September 24, explores his crisis over fans ignoring most of his classic work in favour of a sci-fi yarn. The play takes a whistle-stop tour of the life and times of Sir Alec from his first meeting with Sir John Gielgud to far away galaxies in Star Wars and back again.

Guinness' stage and screen career spanned decades of cinematic glory, he won multiple Tony, BAFTA and Academy awards along the way. His acclaimed work in films such as Kind Hearts and Coronets, Lawrence of Arabia and The Bridge On The River Kwai, and his stage work alongside Olivier and Gielgud, established him as a household name.

The action in the play begins in the late ‘70s as Star Wars is set to become one of the biggest films of all time featuring Guinness' iconic performance as Obi - Wan Kenobi. Amidst fears he will be remembered only as a Jedi, Alec reflects on his life and career - both up to and then beyond Star Wars. Trevor Littledale steps into the great knight's shoes to portray of one of the world's best-loved stars as he reflects on acting, faith, family and his shattering insecurity. Tickets for Two Halves of Guinness, priced £13 (£11 discounts) are available from the box office on 01635 244246, online via www.arlingtonarts.co.uk and from Mary Hare Hearing Centre, Weaver's Walk, Newbury.