Reviewers line on craft
For some reason, I’m madly grabbing reviewer’s quotes and clipping, blogging, copying them. I guess it’s part of my obsession about craft. The most recent one comes from the NYT review of ‘A Man for All Seasons which starts with the old play’s inherent weaknesses, but praises Langella as the consummate stage performer. I love this paragraph where the reviewer is simply revelling in Langella’s power as an actor and the mastery of his craft:
Lord knows Mr. Langella doesn’t shirk his duties as the center of attention. It’s fun to watch him avert his eyes in contained distaste from the spectacle of his fellow mortals’ shortcomings or clutch the back of a chair to steady himself when receiving life-shattering information, the only betrayal that his equanimity has been shaken. On the few occasions when he raises his voice, you don’t doubt that Heaven can hear him. Such regal deportment evokes the days when grand stars like the Barrymores presided over plays.