The Sex Pistols are currently enjoying a successful tour without frontman Johnny Rotten and the late albeit, iconic Sid Vicious. The bass player has become iconic since his death in 1979. Tall and cartoonish with his black spiky hair, snarling lip, and drainpipe jeans, Vicious has become the ultimate image of a rebel. Born John Simon Richie, the bass player was accused of murdering his girlfriend Nancy Spungen in October 1978 while the pair were living in New York’s notorious Chelsea Hotel, packed with an endless procession of dodgy characters.

Prior to Sid’s death, he had befriended fellow drug addict Ned Van Zandt, a Texas-born actor and writer. Van Zandt has a variety of stories about his long acting career, which has included stints on Broadway as well as major film and television projects. His experience with Vicious and his impressions of him are compelling and, at times, shocking. He suggests it wasn’t the former Sex Pistol who murdered his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, but another occupant of the Chelsea Hotel, while expressing regret that he never spoke to the police. Vicious would be dead by February 1979 at the age of 21-years-of-age, so strung out on smack, he didn’t know if he’d killed Nancy or not. The cousin of revered musician Townes Van Zandt, during another low point, he ends up in Del Valle, a Texas correctional facility, where he has to manage a brutal prison life. The actor becomes known as ‘Hollywood’ due to his career and is forced to give acting lessons to a racist, violent, and deeply troubled inmate who rules the roost. 

Van Zandt tells his story in a mile-a-minute and pugilistic fashion that hits harder than bell metal. Still, the pugnacious performer stands upright; his very existence is a victory when you consider the places he’s been and the demons he’s had to wrestle, much like Jacob and the angel. While the play gets dark, it’s not without hope. Van Zandt comes close to the edge and takes the audience with him.

Reviewed by Richard Purden.

Four Stars.

https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/del-valle-a-tale-of-sex-drugs-rock-and-roll-and-redemption

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/del-valle-a-true-tale-of-sex-drugs-rock-and-roll-and-redemption