Clarence Darrow, The Old Vic *****

When my brother learned that I was going to a one man show about the law, he exclaimed "That's BORING!" Little does he know that a ticket to Clarence Darrow is one of the most coveted tickets in theatreland. Kevin Spacey reprises his role as a lawyer with morals after last years sold out run at the vic. He breathes life into a play which. If not performed by anyone as talented as Spacey, this play could just turn into a series of anecdotes but his charisma keeps you transfixed on his every action. From case to case, you are submerged in every word this man utters. And the message portrayed in this play, written in 1974, is just as relevant today, especially in the case in which he advocates Darwinism being taught in schools. There is a clear link between this speech and the message for Fundamentalist groups such as IS in current day society. Director Thea Sharrock has done a superb job in making sure Spacey is not the only character in the play. The audience play as large a part due to Sharrock's directing of Spacey to treat the audience as the jury and give them an active role in order for the play not to stagnate. Spacey's deviation from the script at the spontaneous applauses at the remarkable speeches show his wit and, from my short experience of Spacey's Vic, you can see how he has cultivated an institution which displays the some greatest art in London. This is a play which celebrates the lives of two men and is a wonderful example of how to do a one man show.