Vera Lynn's The White Hills of Dover strikes a nostalgic chord as the sweet song segues into the familiar chimes of London's Big Ben. On the magical 13th chime, the iconic statues in Parliament Square spring into life. With the help of a member of the audience, Sir Winston Churchill, soldier, statesman, author, painter, husband, father and twice prime minister of Britain descends to the ground. For one brief and shining hour, actor Pip Utton reminds us that once there was a giant who strode the halls of Westminster and led his people out of the dark days of war and into a world of peace and prosperity.

Utton's Churchill is a beautifully understated, nostalgic and affectionate account of the milestone moments in the life of a leader, whose personality, influence and legacy bestrode the 20th century like a colossus. Played in front of a large Union Jack, the monodrama reminds those who may remember, and inform those who have forgotten or never knew that there lived a man, larger than life, with the power to lead and to inspire, but nonetheless a human being. Utton's performance presents the great man through his own words. There is no attempt to judge Churchill's deeds and words. That is left for the audience to discern. However, Utton's stature as an actor of great subtlety combined with playful flair imbues historical fact with human emotion.

Churchill's remarkable life cascades before us through Utton's impeccable performance. We learn of his experiences as a young soldier in the Sudan. An aloof relationship with his parents wields considerable influence, later balanced by his deep love for his wife, Clementine. We are moved by his stirring "This was their finest hour" speech, and witness his bitter disappointment at political defeat and rejection contrasted with moments of political, military and personal triumph. Utton's Churchill reveals a complex and exceptional human being.

Some contemporary audiences may recoil at Churchill's sexist jokes. His conservative dismissal of socialism may evoke outcry. Utton's Churchill is a man of his time, possessed with sparkling quicksilver wit, profound wisdom and monumental accomplishment. In the intimate surrounds of the Street Theatre's Street Two, Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill is approachable, playful and reflective on a long and illustrious life.

The statue returns to bronze. Utton's engaging performance lives on.