I only know Edward Woodward the television actor and he has always been pretty good on the box.

But, as a theatre actor, he is superb as Gilbert Harding, the Fifties television personality and supposed "rudest man in Britain".

Woodward has a commanding presence. He is an actor with stature, skill and assured timing. In a grey suit, white shirt, moustache and Harding's trademark horn-rimmed spectacles, Woodward becomes the star of the original What's My Line and Twenty Questions.

When the play opens with a film clip of Harding, he is ranting about the evils of the British Empire and greed of the British people.

When Woodward appears, he is that man with his testiness, explosive way with words and blunt line of answering questions. Neither Woodward nor Harding seems to suffer fools gladly.

Leonard Preston's play takes a look at the last decade of Harding's life leading to his fatal collapse on the steps of Broadcasting House in London.

It begins with his recruitment of a new private secretary and follows his progress through to the disastrous appearance on John Freeman's infamous Face To Face show in which he was viciously outed as a homosexual.

The play is in some ways an exploration of celebrity - what is it? How do you cope with it? And, ultimately, is it worth having? - and asks the question, was it fame that made Harding so self-destructive?

Today, when fame is all around us and there are more so-called celebrities that you can shake a stick at, Harding would pass virtually unnoticed. But in the Fifties, he stuck out like a sore thumb.

The material seems sometimes a little thin for the three-hour running time but there are some nicely witty lines, not least as a drunken Harding addresses a dinner for magistrates by calling them "third-rate justices at a third-rate dinner in a third-rate hotel".

Woodward is beautifully backed by Jonathan Cullen as the private secretary.

This is really an excellent two-handed play drawn out by others who are well overshadowed by the two principals.

You probably have to be 60 years or older to remember the real Harding and get the most out of this show.

Many Brighton people will remember him because he lived in the town and was a regular stroller along the Prom and, of course, a regular visitor to the town's many pubs and bars.

But do go to see it for Woodward's consummate performance and to hear some splendid language - also, this just might be the last opportunity to see the actor on stage.

For tickets, call 01273 328488.