LA BETE A REVIEW

Whatever it was that caused David Hirson's quasi-verse play "LA-BETE" to fail twenty years ago I can't say because I never did see that production, but I would almost bet that it's pretentious talkiness and general lack of appeal had alot to do with it running only three weeks back then. Anyway, seeing it for the first time I found Mr. Hirson's comic look at the conflict between art and populism to be arty, talky, and pretentious in the extreme, but it is almost saved by director Matthew Warchus's brilliantly conceived staging and a wonderfully high
spirited company of actors.
The time is the 17th century and the location is France. It concerns a street clown who has been spotted by a local princess who decides that he is just the addition she needs to liven up her court acting troup led by a popular actor/playwright.The gist of the story is that the clown is out to prove to the actor/playwright that he is a worthy member of the acting profession.
It is not an easy task to make such a wordy script come alive but a wonderfully talented acting company almost succeeds in turning the trick. As the street clown looking for respect Mark Rylance is a revelation. His physical comedy is priceless and his grasp of this complex
part make him one of the most resourceful actors we have seen in years . This is only his second Broadway show, and this export from England is one of the theatre's treasures.
As the actor/ playwright David Hyde Pierce gives a wonderfully understated and comic performance proving once again what a fine stage actor he is and Joanna Lumley is lovely as the princess trying to buck up her court acting troup.Known in this country for the t.v. show "Absolutely Fabulous" Ms. Lumley is making her Broadway bow and she is also a fine addition to the Broadway stage.
The rest of the cast is fine and [as already mentioned] Matthew Warchus's stage direction is brilliantly inventive. It is almost enough to make one overlook the fact that "LA BETE"is basically a bore, but the good things in it may make it up to you and Mr Rylance's performance alone may make it worth a visit.
At THE MUSIC BOX THEATRE 239 WEST 45th STREET N.Y.C.