THE life of one of Hollywood’s ultimate hellraisers will be the subject of a one-man show coming to Burnley Mechanics next weekend.

In Burton, Rhodri Miles plays the Welsh actor whose tempestuous relationship with Elizabeth Taylor had a huge effect on his life.

“The show is set on Burton’s 46th birthday at his home in Switzerland in 1971,” said Rhodri. “He has a fully-laden drinks trolley and settles down to look back on his life at that point.”

This will be the biggest tour yet for the show which will play at nearly 60 venues around the UK between now and the summer.

“I’d done the show mostly around Wales before now,” said Rhodri, “but this tour is a completely different level.”

To prepare for the part, Rhodri went back and watched a number of Burton’s early films.

“The thing that strikes you is how different the acting style was in general in those days,” he said. “It was very hammy, actors were almost showing off, you didn’t see the realism you see nowadays - it was much more of a performance.

“But you still can’t take your eyes off Burton on screen. He had this charisma about him.”

Some of the best insights, Rhodri said, came from watching some of Burton’s interviews from the period with the likes of film critic Barry Norman.

“There were some where he was clearly drunk,” said Rhodri. “Watching them you almost feel a little embarrassed for him, but that’s how he was.

“He was one of a number of actors like Peter O’Toole and Richard Harris who jut lived for the day. These were guys who would have a bloody Mary for breakfast and then polish off a bottle of vodka before lunch.”

The first half of the show sees a mellow Richard Burton sharing anecdotes from his career but things take on a darker turn in the second half.

“The show is set around the time of his divorce from Elizabeth Taylor for the first time,” said Rhodri. “I think everyone is aware enough of his life story to understand what happened to him later in life. The show puts his life into context.”

Written by Gwynne Edwards, Burton received rave reviews at the Edinburgh Festival and was judged Best International Show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2010.

“Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were Hollywood royalty,” said Rhodri. “He left his wife of 15 years and two children behind to make his fortune in the movies.

“He was earning a phenomenal amount of money and he and Elizabeth Taylor were among the first stars to attract what we now see as the paparazzi.

“Everyone wanted to know more about them and what they were doing. It wasn’t like it is today where everyone is a celebrity.”

Burton, Burnley Mechanics, Sunday, February 26. Details from 01282 664400