How the British press reported Reed’s death.

Nearly 15 years after actor Oliver Reed knocked back his last drink in Valletta while on location for the blockbuster Gladiator, his last hours at The Pub are being told in a one-man show at a London theatre.

In the 70-minute performance, titled Wild Thing, Reed has a few drinks and shares his life story, dotted with accounts of his drunken exploits, including sinking some 126 pints in a single session on his stag night.

Sensing the end is near, Reed goes over incidents that brought him to stardom – from learning he was a descendant of Peter the Great to the success of the film Oliver! and disastrous chat show appearances.

The show was written by Mike Davis and Rob Crouch, and is being performed by the latter himself at St James Theatre’s studio.

The production team has informed owners of The Pub in Valletta they are thinking of bringing the show to Malta.

Although Graham Rogers, who took over the bar some seven years ago, has not seen the show himself, he is looking forward to hearing all about it from a friend who is planning to go.

Mr Rogers told Times of Malta that patrons still ask about Reed. Around nine out of 10 turned up because of him, and some even went there on anniversaries linked to the actor.

Reed, known for his alcoholism and binge drinking, died aged 61 from a sudden heart attack while on a bender at The Pub during a break from filming in May 1999.

The owners have collected articles about the late actor in a folder for those who want to know more.

Mr Rogers said: “Everyone was a fan of Oliver. He was a normal person, and always entertaining.” When Mr Rogers was looking for a bar seven years ago, the Reed connection drew him to The Pub.

When he received the “good news” that his pub was going to be featured in the London show he immediately contacted the producers and they informed him they were looking into bringing the show to Malta.

www.olliereedtheplay.co.uk