Fantastic performance. People who are abused in numerous ways "sublimate" and Harry is the sublimation that Philip creates. He is very real to him... he wanders in and out of his persona... almost like the victim of sexual abuse who watches what goes on from "above" or "another place".
Cruddup is incredible. Simply incredible.
5
Amazing performance.
3
A great night at the theater. Such a perfect dramatization of the essence of trickery that I couldn’t help but think of the Donald and, perhaps, why our President refers to himself in the third person. Some plays seem sleepy until events catch up to them. This is one of those.
Just got back. I have no idea why the reviewer says we come to the "realization" that the two are one person. Don't know what he's talking about -- it was clear to me (without any heavy thinking) from the introduction of each personality that they inhabit one body.
1
Indeed. And while Mr. Crudup delivers and delivers, the play itself rings shallow. It encompasses some very out-of-date ideas about homosexuality (Phillip cannot address his real desires and can only enact them as the phony-ish, and very dislikable Harry, for starters). Despite Mr. Crudup's engaging and marathon performance, I left the theater not caring a fig for the character(s) he portrays. None of the other characters is likable in the least either. There are terribly funny moment, such as the god-awful song performed by Mr. Cudrup performing Stephanie, but there's very little humanity in the script. It's a weirdly straightforward burlesque sans the wink-wink, nudge-nudge.
After just getting back from the show, the one word that sums up my experience is "mesmerized". I saw Billy Crudup's strong performance in the "Elephant Man" years ago, but getting 100% of his time meant that we couldn't turn our heads away from the stage for even a moment. "Harry Clarke" seems even better than another one man show, "Fully Committed", since the various characters portrayed by one person seem connected as part of a more fully developed adventure. This is the type of show when I feel fortunate living in New York.
2
Just saw Mr. Crudup in this marvelous performance last Friday we as the audience were treated to a Q&A with him, the director and the artistic director (I think that was her title). The minute he appears on stage you are mesmerized. He is super talented and his performance for me anyway was a treat. After seeing him in Stoppard's "Arcadia" recently he left me wanting. He appeared to be lost in Stoppard's work and seemed uninterested in his or anyone else's performance. It was a letdown. But seeing him in Harry Clarke was an absolute treat a tour de force and am very glad I saw it.
1
This play and its great reception make it look like a license for producers to practically print money. I wonder if the investment prospectus for the future could be set to that Sade song.
Tune of “Smooth Operator”
Bucks to make, it’s no fake
A budget crossed
With minimum cost and maximum take.
Deck and chair, set so spare
But Mr. Cale
Spins quite a tale with so much care.
No risk for investors, we swear that’s the truth
To forecast the profits would be uncouth
But for our next stop, we’re circling the Booth
Tickets went fast
It’s a sure money maker
Sure money maker
Tour goes out, L-A to New Haven, nut is low
Across the north and south, they’ll be ravin’, S-R-O
Sure money maker, sure money maker
For a long time, I have appreciated David Cale for his complex, humane, adept portraits, which are humble and almost "poetic" (whatever that means). When I went to see "Harry Clarke", I was seated in the far back. I worried that not seeing Billy Crudup close up would do injustice to his nuanced acting, and to David Cale. I was happily wrong. Billy Crudup held the stage (and my delighted attention) for the 80 minute play. I am happy and grateful for David Cale and Billy Crudup.
6
I was quite fortunate to get two front row seats with a perfect view of Mr. Crudup, his command of his space is wonderful to watch, his eyes dance and I got to see the subtle nuances when he portrayed other characters.
2
Ok, what's a "Hanukkah Brazilian"?
11
Your computer does have Google, doesn't it?