It was the unexpected casting of Laurence Olivier as Archie Rice in John Osborne’s The Entertainer which made the premiere in 1959 so memorable. Here was the foremost classical actor, not only cast as a camp, sleazy, fifth-rate music hall comedian, but he was also appearing at the Royal Court Theatre, home to all the angry young men.
Archie Rice is one of the great 20th century roles and it was a major turning point in Olivier’s career, bringing him into the modern kitchen-sink mainstream. And 50 years on Olivier’s performance remains the definitive performance. Some people thought the character was based on Max Miller. It wasn’t. Archie Rice isn’t a great music hall artist. Max Miller was.
Osborne uses the dying music hall as a metaphor for Britain on its last Imperial legs: “Don’t clap too hard, lady – it’s an old building.”
Kenneth Branagh, not wanting to give an imitation Laurence Olivier, has turned Archie Rice into a hoofer. His music hall acts and his final exit line – “You’ve been a great audience. Let me know where you’re working and I’ll come and see you” – would catch the era much better and have far greater impact if they were all acted in front of a genuine music hall drop-curtain instead of being acted in the same setting as his lodgings.