It's not that often that London theatregoers give a real standing ovation but when we do, we mean it - and Kevin Spacey deserved every heartfelt Bravo when he brought the Old Vic audience to its feet this afternoon. Great performance of a fascinating play and an episode of American legal/labour history that was new to me.
(People are queuing for day seats from 7.30am, but I noticed a handful of empty seats and a woman I chatted to in the bar said she'd turned up on the off-chance and got a return.)
At the end, Kevin Spacey looked quite drained - and to think he had it all to do again in the evening.
I know it's not the same, but this isn't the first time that Spacey has played Clarence Darrow - and you can still find an old American Playhouse drama on YouTube. Haven't watched it myself so I'm not promising that it's all there.
On the way home I stopped off for cocktails in the garden at the new Keeper's House at the Royal Academy ... and decided it's my new favourite place to meet friends on a summer evening. Funny how one cocktail's never enough, and the second one ... oh dear, should know better at my age.
Kevin Spacey is absolutely tops on my list of today's "older" actors, among those who can truly ACT. I've made an effort to see almost every film he's been in as well as all the episodes of the Netflix series "House of Cards," not to be confused with the British version.
ReplyDeleteJudith (Reader in the Wilderness)
I've only seen him on stage once before, Judith - it was The Iceman Cometh, another memorable performance.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mary, how I'd love to see him on stage! I'll keep my eye out.
ReplyDelete