JERUSALEM A REVIEW

The collapse of English society is the theme of Jez Butterworth's spellbindingly brilliant play "JERUSALEM" and in it's central role Mark Rylance moves to the head of the class as one of the worlds great actors.
All you have to do is look at the virtuoso performance he gave earlier this season in "La Bete" and his award winning turn in "Boeing-Boeing" three years ago to figure out that this is an actor of extroadanary gifts and here he is nothing short of titanic as a fun loving man who is unemployed because of an injury and living in a broken down motor home in the English countryside. He is about to be evicted because of an incoming county fair and and real estate interests who want to develope the land his home is on. He is visited by a motley group of friends who want nothing more than a good time and a son who wants his attention.
It's a marathon role that keeps Mr. Rylance on stage 95% of the play's three hour running time and I have not seen an actor blend into a role so completly since Paul Scofield stunned Broadway 50 years ago when he came to town in" A Man For All Seasons"
He is surrounded by an extroadanary company of actors some of whom are [ like Mr.Rylance] reprising the roles they played in England last year, and the play is beautifully staged by Ian Rickson, a fine director repeating his London staging.
The sets and costumes by Ultz and the lighting by Mimi Jordan Sherin catch the mood of the play perfectly and Stephen Warbeck's background music is just right. By the way, the play's title comes from a hymn that is sung at the end of the Labor Party confrences every year as a tribute to the beauty of the land.
Anyway, 'JERUSALEM" is a stunning play and Mr. Rylance gives a performance that will be talked about forever. Don't miss it.
AT THE MUSIC BOX THEATRE 239 WEST45th STREET N.Y.C.