Review: HARRY CLARKE, Ambassadors Theatre

Photo credit: Carol Rosegg

Reprising his role in this UK debut, Billy Crudup is Harry Clarke, the solo character in David Cale’s play about fractured personalities, and a world based on duplicity.

Harry is the Cockney alter ego of Philip Brugglestein, a sensitive gent from Indiana who has been adopting a ‘posh’ English accent from a young age. We are taken on an 80-minute meandering journey of lies and deceit (reminiscent of the talented Mr Ripley) by Harry/Philip, as Crudup adopts multiple personas to bring the dark story to life. The phrase ‘tour de force’ is often used to describe performances but you can see why it’s been used to describe Crudup’s Clarke. There are very few productions which grab you right away and keep a good grasp through to the standing ovation at the end. Well, this is one of them, thanks to the multifaceted Crudup.

Crudup, of Morning Show fame, is entirely mesmerising in his monologue, adopting different personalities and flitting effortlessly between them, not putting a foot wrong. The way he transitions from one accent to the next and straight back again is seamless and incredibly impressive. The accents are not quite perfect but this is easily explained away by the character himself being American and feigning the accents too. The dialect coaches Hecht and Berman have worked wonders here.

The thought of watching just one man talk for 80 continuous minutes with no props (he shares the stage with just a chair, small table and glass of water), subtle backdrop changes and very little music may sound unappealing, but Crudup is utterly and entirely captivating, and the 80 minutes fly by. He manages to make an almost empty stage feel full, and you can’t take your eyes off him for a second as he commands the audience’s full attention throughout.

The writing is really smart, this is not a 19-piece play in which one man plays all the parts. It’s so much more than that. It’s sexy, funny, interesting and creepy. It asks us to consider the impact of one lie growing out of control, and analyse the reasons behind snap decisions and the impact these can have. Crudup really shines here and makes the whole thing appear effortless.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Cara Brazier

Harry Clarke plays at London’s Ambassadors Theatre until 11 May, with tickets available here.