Absolut Thievery

Henry V by the Seattle Shakespeare Company displayed some of the best stolen scenes I've ever seen. The play is a solid performance by all around, set in mid twentieth century England/France, but the Bernie Madoff of theatre has to be Jerick Hoffer as the gay French 'lady-in-waiting' for Princess Catherine. He only has two major scenes in that character but when he's on stage every eye is watching him. The key to his larcenous performance is how over the top he vaults himself. First he instructs Catherine on speaking English, which hilariously sets up the heist, then he acts the tetchy guardian when Henry tries to woo Catherine to be his queen, which locks him in as a criminal mastermind. Hoffer clearly has the knack for great acting which goes beyond character and gets to something more internal; he has the bravery to take what's given to him and make something truly special out of it. Can't wait to see him as a headliner.