IIn the Broadway one-man show, The Mystery of Charles Dickens, starring Simon Callow, we see a 19th-Century man portrayed in 19th-Century grand-ham performance style, when there was no amplification in theaters, and one must above all be heard, mustn't one. The show, for the most part poorly written by Peter Ackroyd, begins with rather boring exposition about Dickens' early life. As it continues, Callow, at least in this show, proves to be basically a voice actor with unused physical capability. He gives us no reality in his characters -- all are exaggerated poses, and they overlap. There are some entertaining moments, but we are not emotionally engaged as he chews up the scenery.
In Act Two, a fast series of character changes grabs us for a few moments, but for most of the show we sit back, unmoved, and watch Callow blow. Odd, puzzling, intrusive lighting is by Nick Richings; the broken-frame set by Christopher Woods suffices. Patrick Garland, the director, doesn't seem to get that bluster and ranting do not make a show for more than ten minutes.
Previews:
April 18, 2002
Opened:
April 25, 2002
Ended:
May 7, 2002
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Ambassador Theater Group, Act Productions, Pre-Eminence, Ltd.
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Belasco Theater
Theater Address:
111 West 44th Street
Phone:
(212) 239-6200
Running Time:
2 hrs, 15 min
Genre:
Solo
Director:
Patrick Garland
Review:
Cast:
Simon Callow
Technical:
PR: Boneau/Bryan-Brown; Set: Christopher Woods; Lighting: Nick Richings.
Other Critics:
TOTALTHEATER David Lefkowitz ?
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
May 2002
