When Roger Moore's James Bond faced a crisis he straightened his hair, raised an eyebrow or set his jaw, before getting on with it. Similarly, Michael Chance's Ian Fleming is of the old school, facing potential problems with a pink gin in his hand and a stiff upper lip.
Mark Burgess's play visits Fleming during two moments of crises - in 1952, as he prepares to marry the love of his life Ann, and ten years later once his marriage has turned sour and his greatest creation is becoming a cultural icon across the world.
In both acts of the hour-long play he directly addresses James Bond 007, using him to discuss his life thus far, and reveal the reasons behind his creation.
The performance is interspersed with appropriate pre-recorded selections from the 007 books - particularly the way the first, Casino Royale, reflected his life and passions in 1952.
Chance perfectly conveys the attitude of a playboy beginning to suffer the ravages of age - there were a few knowing chuckles from the audience when he mentioned everything beginning to ache when he got to 40.
And the script featured plenty of pithy observations - from the unholy trinity that made life worth living: gambling, alcohol and women, to the three things Fleming always avoided: concerts, museums and marriage.
But at times it felt a little like a glorified Wikipedia entry, sprinkled with memorable trivia and tinged with moments of fleeting sadness as love and former lovers came and went.
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