Bravo to Hugh Bonneville, whose new play about press freedom, cover-ups and lying scoundrels has proved a triumph. “Bonneville, champion of free speech”, raves the front page of the Telegraph, while the Sun’s theatre review section – never missed by luvvies – gives it four stars:

“Hugh Bonneville ditches his safe family man image for a performance packed with passion and desire as he fights to reveal a corrosive secret in his first return to the stage in more than a decade… Bonneville, who recently spoke on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs of his deep love for wife of 18 years Lulu, plays brilliant Dr Stockmann… Why should he hide the truth, he demands. “Too many people already know about it,” he rants. “You think you can silence me and the truth but things are not going to go as smoothly as you think”

The Mail meanwhile reports on a triumphant evening for the A-list TV actor:

“The actor’s performance before a packed house was met with a long applause as he bowed multiple times to his adoring public. The stage door was clear for Mr Bonneville as he made his way from the theatre and into the press party, free of autograph hunters and fans. He was seen flashing a big smile as he walked out of the theatre with a group of friends and his wife Lulu Williams. Speaking after the performance people said what a lovely guy Bonneville was because he remembers everyone’s name and ‘speaks to everyone like an old friend.”

Sounds like a quite a party. Bottoms up!