Jane Asher demonstrates remarkable stamina in the central role of this very personal perspective of the 20th century.

She is not only on stage for the duration, she is also speaking for most of the time and keeps her audience focussed.

Four of the rest of the cast have multiple roles in the cast of Claudia Hampton’s life. Ms Asher is Claudia, a journalist and historian reviewing her life and loves from her death bed. The sixth member of the cast, Tim Delap, plays a single, pivotal character.

It is cleverly staged. Just off centre is Claudia’s hospital bed, which becomes other beds in other places. Left and right are chairs on which the actors wait to metamorphose into their numerous characters. At the back is a multi-paned screen on which are projected events and places relevant to the story.

Its form is also reflective of Claudia’s view of history as a kaleidoscope of images rather than a chronological procession.

The story also explores one of Penelope Lively’s favourite themes about memory versus illusion.

Ms Asher’s performance is powerful, controlled and never less than absorbing.

Hilary Jones, Christopher Brandon, Philip Cumbus and Jade Williams deliver a rich variety of cameo performances.

Simon Reade’s adaptation somehow retains the feel of a novel and loses nothing of Penelope Lively’s atmosphere.

However, despite recalling a colourful and often passionate life, it is a cerebral rather than emotional experience, apart from the ending.