What a theatrical treat! Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Landis full of intellectual games with meaning within meaning, and the author’s strange tangents and angles are fully fulfilled, expressed with verve by a cast that is merely superb: the vivid Ian McKellen, a handsome, strong, sexy Billy Crudup; a formidable Shuler Hensley and Patrick Stewart playing a man much older than himself -- he actually dodders (which enables him to take some great falls with the grace of a mime).
What’s it about? Stewart brings a man (McKellen) whom he just met home from a pub for a drink. He is served in various ways by Crudup and Hensley. Mysteries are explored, especially in Act two; the men may have been old acquaintances with memories (real and imagined?) including the funniest expo of sexual adventures ever.
The play gives us a flow, a torrent of unequaled verbosity (except by Beckett). It’s a fascinating encounter: thrust and parry -- Memories? Fantasies? Both? Great line: “I’m in the last lap of a race I forgot to run.”
Sean Mathias has directed these masters with exquisite timing, set by Steven Brimson Lewis is perfect – reflecting time and character, and his costumes have flair, including a bright green handkerchief adorning Stewart. Lighting by Peter Kaczorowski is quite expressive. This is theater at its best; don’t miss it.
