VETERAN, and quintessentially English, actor Edward Fox is even more of fan of John Betjeman now, after taking on the role of the beloved poet in a one-man show.

Sand in the Sandwiches – being staged at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre on November 2 to 12, Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on November 15 and 16 –?celebrates the life and work of the nation’s favourite bard.

Embracing his delight for nostalgia and delicious irreverence, the play, from the pen of Hugh Whitemore, a long-time friend of Edward Fox, travels through Betjeman’s boyhood and adolescence to life as Britain’s poet laureate.

It promises to present an entertaining insight into the writer and the man.

His appeal is summed up by Fox, who brings Betjeman’s poetry and vivacious personality to life.

“He wanted to be a poet from a very early age and Betjeman regarded the writing of poetry as a duty and a service.

“He was popular with the public but not with the world of academe who were rather snobbish about him and he had enormous periods of depression when he doubted the worth of his poetry.

“He saw himself as a sieve, sorting out words and ideas so that people could understand. He was quick-minded, witty and very human and he generally wrote about the more positive aspects of life.

“Working on this play, I’ve been both stimulated and invigorated by the man, and I?hope audiences will feel the same.”

He doesn’t have a favourite Betjeman poem and says he is tricky to pin down. “I think that is difficult to categorise him. You could argue that his work is mainly light-hearted although Slough is both comic and very tough. I don’t really have a poem which I like more than the others, although I admire his ability to say no more than is necessary.”

Visit www.cft.org.uk and www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk for more details and to book.