Actor Mark H. Dold reinvented himself as 19 different people in the one-act comedy “Harry Clarke” at Gablestage that is mostly funny, but with dramatic overtones. Playwright David Cale’s one man play challenges the audience to ponder whether “Harry Clarke” is a hero, villain, a mythical character or whether a man originally named Phillip Brugglestein from the Midwestern United States is now the born and bred wealthy Harry Clarke from London, England.
Odds are that the play would be somewhat boring if actor Mark H. Dold, who plays Phillip turned Harry and interacts with 17 other characters, was not the star of the play. With a large range of voices, dialects and plenty of facial gestures, Dold keeps the audience immersed in recalling his plight as a somewhat abused Phillip who has a dull life and wishes to transform himself into the bold and dashing British man of class and wealth, Harry Clarke.
In becoming Harry Clarke, Phillip discards his birth identity, moves to New York City and goes through a series of adventures immersing himself as a bold confidant and lover to several people in the upper crust of Manhattan society. Along the way, Harry becomes a great financial advisor, has both a man and a woman fall in love with him and is also involved with an older woman.
All photos of actor Mark H. Dold in “Harry Clarke” at GableStage are by Magnus Stark
The story has various twists that are uplifting, funny and dramatic all at the same time. Dold not only convinces all his characters by his charm and integrity, he also expresses anger, fear and sadness. By the end of the play, the audience is torn between loving Harry, hating Harry or ignoring Harry because he is really Phillip in disguise.
Dold speaks to the audience, not only sharing his anecdotes but reinventing his dialogues with all the people he meets as Harry. The audience is entertained and immersed by Dold’s multivoices, using male and female voices, expressing words in angry, playful and sorrowful tones as the story unfolds.
Guiding Dold along in his stunning 88 minute presentation is director Julianne Boyd. Credit also to GableStage lighting director David Lander for giving Dold the right shades of light to allow the audience to engage Harry, Phillip and the other characters in a mostly joyful ride of theater.
Actor Mark H. Dold stars in the one man comedy “Harry Clarke” by playwright David Cale, running now through November 2 at GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Ave. in Coral Gables. Tickets range from $60-95. For tickets and show times, call 305-445-1119 or go to gablestage.org
