Comfortable in Your Own Skin
Special Delivery
Review by Ross Anthony

Harry Hart-Brown unravels a sincere, heartfelt and artfully crafted tale of one soul and multiple characters (half of which belong to that one soul). With just a blue pattern sheet hooked across the corner of a brick room in the back of the Mystic Sisters Book Store in Monrovia, Harry stands before the semicircle of 10-20 audience members. A quiet intimate evening.

This open autobiographical play covers Harry's life (or lives) beginning between incarnations (just prior to the current one) then brings us up to speed from birth to date. The most memorable points being: the joy and whimsy of childhood (too oft forgotten) and of course, belief in oneself (selves). Painted from the 'world as a stage' perspective, Harry performs this well-written script seemingly seamlessly (even while switching back and forth between as many as 20 characters -- each with its own accent and mannerisms).

The play struggles a bit out of the gate, then picks up around midway. Slipping awkwardly at first from his welcome into his play, the first act isn't quite as strong as the second and third. Perhaps, if Harry began the play at birth, then let us wonder (along with him) just who this higher voice was -- popping around in his head. Perhaps this method would be more conducive for those in the audience not so reincarnation-oriented, weaving them toward the idea over the course of the evening.

By midway though, the sharp poignant points of insight and heart begin to arise and increase in frequency building confidently to a strong climax. You'll be amused, sympathetic, and then "pop" at some of those points you'll feel a sudden urge to hold your hand on your heart, or slip out a tear.





Copyright © 2001. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: RossAnthony.com


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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 07:54:11 PDT