Health officials back Jagger's son to light up on stage

But his father Mick was not there to watch him - the Rolling Stone was at Spamalot, the Monty Python musical, with girlfriend L'Wren Scott.

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Jagger Jnr had to be granted a special licence to smoke at the King's Head Theatre in Islington, in twin plays about Vietnam.

Environmental health officials had to be convinced it was vital to the artistic value of the work.

Last week, Mick Jagger's bandmates Keith Richards and Ronnie Woods lit up illegally at a Stones concert at the O2.

James, smoking outside the theatre after the performance, said he had not thought about making history as he was concentrating on his acting.

"I didn't have a jubilant inner moment because I was too busy concentrating on what I had to do on stage, but it was quite funny, especially considering all the fuss with my dad's band. He's proud of me - not for smoking, but for getting up on stage."

He said he asked his family not to attend the preview night, also his 22nd birthday. "I didn't want any added pressure on the first night," he said. "I want to get into my groove first.

"They're coming on Friday. It was a nervy way to celebrate my birthday but I think it went quite well for the first preview.

"There were some mistakes - a few dropped lines here and there - but I don't think anyone noticed."

James plays a village idiot in the first play, Lone Star. Set in redneck Texas in the Seventies, it features EastEnder Shane Richie as a Vietnam veteran, and another young actor, Will Meredith.

Jagger Jnr's character lights up for 30 seconds and provokes laughter when he immediately pledges to give up as it makes him feel dizzy.

There were also smiles when another character suggests putting on the jukebox and sings a snatch of the Stones hit, Get Off My Cloud.

The second play, Private Wars, explores the relationship between three Vietnam veterans in an army hospital. James plays Natwick, an effete Long Island rich kid wearing silk pyjamas who loathes and is loathed by Richie's psychotic New York flasher.

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Richie said: "It's fun working with James and Will, who are like young stage virgins. I'm feeding off their enthusiasm and excitement. They are both on a real high."

The plays by James McLure - showing to a packed house last night - went down well with the audience.

Jane Edwards, 34, a community worker from West Hampstead, said: "Both plays were great, although I thought the second was slightly over-acted. All the actors were very good. James Jagger definitely has a future on the stage.

"The smoking added to the authenticity - there was a danger with the smoking ban that theatre could lose its grittiness."

Daisy Wright, 19, a student from Russell Square, added: "They couldn't have done that scene without him smoking because of the jokes. I thought they were all outstanding."

Jason Miller, 24, a music student from Bayswater, said: "Jagger's Texan drawl was great - I guess it helps that his mum's Jerry Hall. And he played the nerd very well. As for smoking - good on him. They couldn't have done it without."