Imagine stepping into a theatre and witnessing Richard Burton himself resurrected on stage. Matthew Rhys doesn't just portray Burton; he becomes him, flaws, brilliance, and all. It's a performance so captivating, it makes you question everything you thought you knew about one-man shows. Is it possible to truly embody a legend? Rhys answers with a resounding yes in "Playing Burton."
It's been two decades since Matthew Rhys graced a British stage, and his return, embodying the iconic Richard Burton, is nothing short of triumphant. Rhys, himself a Welshman who shares a deep connection with Burton, who would have been 100 this month, clearly pours his heart into the role. The sheer passion and dynamism he brings to "Playing Burton" is a revelation.
You might think, "How good can a one-man show really be?" Even one like Mark Jenkins's monologue, which has garnered international acclaim since its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe back in 1993. And Rhys, despite his impressive TV credits, including "The Americans," "Perry Mason," and the unnerving property developer in Netflix's "The Beast in You," hasn't been on stage since 2012's "Look Back in Anger" in New York. Plus, this production is a fundraising effort for Michael Sheen's newly formed Welsh National Theatre. With ticket prices soaring, you might expect some allowances for a charitable cause. But here's where it gets controversial... does the charitable nature of a production excuse mediocrity?
Forget any reservations. From the moment Rhys's Burton strides onto the stage – suit, no tie, interrupting a 1984 news report of his own death at 58 – he commands the character, and the audience, with playful authority. "I will not go gentle into that good night," he booms, seizing control of his narrative with a misquoted Dylan Thomas. Rhys later embodies other iconic figures like John Gielgud, Winston Churchill, and, of course, Elizabeth Taylor, showcasing his versatility.
Taking a swig of vodka, Rhys's Burton shares a knowing glance with the audience, acknowledging their complicity. A whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions collide as he contemplates how Richard Jenkins, the twelfth of thirteen children born to an alcoholic miner, transformed into the world-famous, womanizing, hard-drinking actor Richard Burton. It's a question of nature versus nurture, talent versus circumstance. And this is the part most people miss... the play delves into the complex interplay of these elements, rather than simply celebrating the legend.
Rhys's physical impression is remarkable, although his natural timbre is slightly less deeply resonant than Burton's. However, he perfectly captures Burton's complex and contradictory spirit. He recounts growing up speaking Welsh as his first language – a shared experience with Rhys. He also highlights the transformative influence of Philip Burton, the teacher who reshaped him for Oxford University, the stage, and the world, leading him to adopt the Burton name.
The essential Burton facts – the stage successes, the Hollywood triumphs, the scandalous affair with Taylor on the set of "Cleopatra," the extravagant and turbulent marriages – are all present. You could get a glimpse of this from Rhys's narration of diary entries in the BBC documentary, "Wild Genius." But what sets this performance apart is the nuanced and heartfelt way Rhys embodies Burton's self-awareness. He embraces his flaws while simultaneously questioning the interplay of inclination and destiny. On his womanizing, for instance, he quips, "Why do I do it? Because I'm a lucky bugger." This candor, delivered with both charm and a hint of self-deprecation, is what makes the portrayal so compelling.
This Burton doesn't shy away from acknowledging his own gifts; he even scorns those who questioned them in his obituaries, collapsing to the floor in a moment of raw vulnerability. He shares poignant and humorous anecdotes about show business and his family. Rhys, swaying slightly, embodies Burton the functioning alcoholic, the health risk, the captivating storyteller, and the imperfect husband. "I like playing Burton," he says, "Because it's the greatest role that Richie Jenkins ever got to play."
It's not a simple story of hardship, despite its moments of sadness. Rhys infuses Burton with such intellectual agility and depth that this tribute evolves into a kind of one-man "Hamlet." To be Richard Burton, or not to be? That is the question. And Rhys answers it with breathtaking skill.
★★★★★
90min
Touring to Nov 24, welshnationaltheatre.com
Rhys's performance raises a fascinating question: Can an actor truly understand and embody another person, especially one as complex as Richard Burton? Does Rhys's own Welsh heritage give him a unique insight? And what do you think makes a truly great one-person show? Share your thoughts and recent theatrical experiences in the comments below!
