Emmy-winning actor Billy Crudup is captivating audiences with his performance in the one-man play “Harry Clarke” at London’s West End. Critics praise his magnetic stage presence, affirming Crudup’s stellar performance in “The Morning Show” extends to the theater.
Emmy-winning actor Billy Crudup is starring in a one-man play, Harry Clarke, in London’s West End.
The Emmy-winning actor had previously led the show in New York before it moved to London’s West End.
Crudup joins a distinguished group of actors who have recently embraced one-person stage productions, alongside Sarah Snook, Andrew Scott, and Jodie Comer.
In its three-star review of the play, The Guardian hailed Crudup as “a consistently captivating presence.”
A prominent figure in the New York theatre scene, Crudup expressed to BBC News that the chance to bring the show to the West End was simply too tempting to pass up.
“I desired the opportunity to engage with this community, having invested significant effort into our work, hence we couldn’t decline,” he expressed.
Interestingly, Harry Clark, who shares a similar name with the British reality star featured on The Traitors, was present as one of the distinguished guests in the audience during the opening night of the show on Wednesday.
However, although The Traitors revolves around the central theme of betrayal like the play, the stage portrayal of Harry Clarke extends much farther in his endeavors to deceive and infiltrate a affluent family.
Crudup portrays 19 characters throughout the 80-minute performance, embodying each individual encountered by the titular confidence trickster.
When asked about the recent trend of actors gravitating towards one-person stage shows, Crudup humorously remarked, “We’re probably just a bunch of fools! Honestly, taking on solo performances is incredibly daunting. There have been countless moments where I’ve been hit with panic on stage, forgetting lines and all. The only remedy is sheer repetition until it’s ingrained in your memory.”
The Telegraph’s Claire Allfree, while awarding the show three stars, commented on the familiar themes of the “unstable nature of identity” and its parallels with theater as the “ultimate con trick.” She noted Crudup’s adeptness in weaving these themes into his performance, effortlessly transitioning between various characters and capturing the essence of his character’s dual personas with remarkable precision.
Crudup is renowned for his roles in films and TV series such as Almost Famous, Big Fish, Mission: Impossible III, Watchmen, Jackie, and The Good Shepherd.
His portrayal of TV network executive Cory Ellison on Apple TV’s The Morning Show, alongside Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, has garnered him an Emmy and Critics Choice Award.
In 2017, the actor appeared in Harry Clarke at the off-Broadway Vineyard theatre. Last year, it was revived at the Berkeley Rep in California before heading to London.
“We had discussed as a possibility whether our show and its content could resonate as strongly with a British audience as it does with an American one,” Crudup explained during Wednesday’s press launch.
Written by David Cale and helmed by Leigh Silverman, “Harry Clarke” centers on a man from the Midwest who relocates to New York and assumes the guise of a confident Londoner to charm a wealthy family.
He fabricates a past as a tour manager for Sade, regaling the family with stories from the entertainment world.
However, the prospect of adapting a play where Crudup, a native New Yorker, adopts a British accent for a London theater was daunting.
“It’s quite a challenge,” he chuckled. “Thankfully, the narrative incorporates a device that once the audience catches on, they find very gratifying.
“The character has never set foot in England. He’s crafting a British persona to boost his self-esteem, which ironically elevates him in the eyes of a British audience, as if to say ‘Yes, we’re superior just by the way we speak’.
“Many characters in the play remark ‘I adore your accent’, a typical American reaction to British newcomers.”
He expressed, “Americans find it fascinating how we typically speak English, so when we hear it spoken with a British accent, it offers a fresh perspective, almost imbuing the speaker with a different kind of authority. Thus, we wanted to explore if this dynamic resonated with a British audience.”
Sarah Crompton, in her four-star review for WhatsOnStage, remarked on Crudup’s shifting accents, stating, “Despite the involvement of several voice coaches, Crudup’s attempts at English accents are imprecise. However, this isn’t crucial. His focus is on portraying a man whose identity fractures into numerous facets to lead a more captivating life. He embodies a fraudster whose fabrications stem from inner turmoil, making his performance entirely gripping.”
She remarked, “Crudup skillfully navigates through each twist and turn, delivering each line and thought with impeccable timing.”
Harry, displaying early sexual maturity, is depicted engaging romantically with two members of the family he seeks to infiltrate.
The premise may ring a bell for those familiar with Emerald Fennell’s recent film, Saltburn, where Barry Keoghan portrayed a similar character befriending a wealthy peer at university.
This resemblance was observed by Andrzej Lukowski of Time Out in his three-star review. “Undoubtedly, if you’re still feeling the effects of Saltburn, this will satisfy your craving for another dose of a creepy protagonist,” he commented.
“Nevertheless, even from a cynical standpoint, it remains trashily entertaining, and Crudup’s performance is captivating,” he added, echoing the sentiment shared by several critics regarding the actor’s magnetic portrayal.
Crudup confirmed that he had seen Saltburn, mentioning that audiences are often drawn to narratives where they can immerse themselves in the experiences of a deceitful protagonist.
“In general, people go to the theater seeking a cathartic experience, whether it’s a hearty laugh or a heartfelt cry,” he expressed. “And some of us crave the occasional shock, the thrill of witnessing someone living on the edge.
“It’s akin to attending a circus, observing the tightrope walker; you know there’s a safety net, yet you’re still on the edge of your seat. There’s an exhilaration in the performance, because it resonates with the risks we all face in life, and it’s more palatable to experience it in a theatrical setting than in reality.”
Chris Wiegand of The Guardian, in awarding the show three stars, critiqued the lack of momentum in the script, noting that the story lacked substantial stakes.
He expressed that Crudup’s vocal range is so dynamic that it paints a vivid picture of peaks and valleys akin to a spirometer graph solely through his performance.
Clive Davis of the Times echoed this sentiment with even greater enthusiasm, awarding the show four stars and labeling it a “thoroughly entertaining shaggy dog story”.
Describing the writing as sharp-witted and playful, Davis highlighted Crudup’s talent in embodying each character within the narrative.
Sarah Hemming from the Financial Times remarked on Crudup’s commanding presence on stage, where he skillfully navigates between characters, exuding charm, charisma, and a hint of intrigue. She concluded by expressing contentment in being captivated by his performance, even if there might be an element of deception.
From magnetic presence to a masterful delivery, the actor has been leaving audiences spellbound. And it’s not just the critics – fans are echoing the sentiment, filling social media with praise and awe. It’s a testament to the star’s undeniable talent and sheer brilliance in bringing characters to life. This latest stage endeavor has only solidified their status as a force to be reckoned with. Be sure not to miss the opportunity to witness this mesmerizing performance firsthand!
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