 | Matthew Taylor (@matthewtaylorx) |
Fences @ The Duchess. Lenny Henry 9+/10. 2nd preview of this play so there is time to make Act 2 as good as Act 1 before opening night. 8/10 | |
Very good first half in which Lenny Henry shows what a fine actor he is. The character he plays - a proud, failed baseball player, now dustman in ?30s US where race still defined life prospects - is full of life, passion and fun, but with a darker authoritarian side that demands the obedience and respect of his children. The first half was captivating and the on stage chemistry between Henry and his wife, and Henry and his co-worker Bono is wonderful. When it is their turn to take centre stage after Henry's demise in Act 2 they are left wanting - possibly because of the script or perhaps the staging. 9+/10 for Henry? It could so easily have been 10/10 but there are micro moments when a mannerism, a look, an intonation reveals the Henry we know going back to New Faces, Tiswas and Stand-up and you wait for a Katanga to slip out. This is so unfair. Many thoroughbred actors build successful careers on being themselves and being expected to be themselves in whatever role they take. Lenny has broken free from this and does not want to trade on past winning formulas. This is bold and brave and is paying off. New scores have just come in. Lenny Henry 10+/10!
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