McKellen, Stewart, Atkins & Gambon/ British Actors Show How It's Done in New York

Often the play is the thing.  But a handful of British acting greats now gracing several stages in New York prove that when you are dealing with some of the finest actors now alive, the actors can be the thing as well.

Two New York stages, one on Broadway and one off-Broadway, are currently hosting four of the finest British actors of our time.  At the Cort Theater on Broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are starring in Beckett's classic "Waiting For Godot" in rep with Pinter's "No Man's Land."  Both plays are widely regarding as being among the finest plays of the 20th Century.  Having noted that, I will confess that Pinter in general, and "No Man's Land" in particular, are not among my favorites.  "Godot" for me is hit and miss thing, as I have seen productions I have found outstanding, and others that I have found beyond painful to watch.  No matter, in the hands of McKellen and Stewart, whose on stage chemistry is among the finest I have ever witnessed, both plays are given their due and then some.  The performances these two actors are giving in both shows are nothing short of a mesmerizing master class in acting.  And without taking anything away from Stewart, I must say that McKellen's work in both plays, but especially in "Godot," is sublimely astonishing.  I saw both shows in one day, and was left agog with the range, humor and subtlety displayed by both actors.  Do yourself a favor and see them both, but if you can only see one, go with Godot.

Another Beckett play, albeit one that is began as a radio play and is rarely performed, is now on stage at off-Broadway's 59E59 Theater.  Eileen Atkins and Michael Gambon are starring in "All That Fall" as an old, grumpy, stubborn married couple in a small Irish town, and both are giving McKellen and Stewart a run for their money in the acting game.  To watch these two perform in a small off-Broadway house is a treat beyond measure, and I was fortunate enough to have front row seats which placed me within 10 feet of these acting greats.  Watching them up close was thrilling.  And to take nothing away from Gambon, it is Atkins who has the meatier role and she makes the most of it.  Ms. Atkins is able to find humanity and humor in a role that would seem nagging and bitter in lesser hands.  I have to believe that Mr.Beckett would be especially pleased to see what the fine cast over at 59E59 is doing to bring his somewhat obscure work to life in any way he could probably never have imagined.

Does acting get any better than what is noted above?  I doubt it.