Theater Review: “My Perfect Mind”

“My Perfect Mind,” part of the 2015 Brits Off Broadway festival, at 59E59 Theaters, is an extraordinary play co- starring two incredible actors, Edward Petherbridge and Paul Hunter, the latter dazzling at a frenetic pace. This was a performance!

The story is autobiographical concerning Mr. Petherbridge, who years back, just beginning rehearsals for his role as King Lear, suffered a stroke. He was not able to move but retained the words of the exalted role as “Lear,” in his mind.

Now at age 78, he moves, paints, deadpans amazing lines (he wrote the script along with Kathryn Hunter and co star Paul Hunter, the latter two related in their brilliance but not by blood) and gets to play King Lear at times, in a great show that touches on and brings out much of the good in the human spirit. Did I also mention it is hilarious?!!

Paul Hunter is also great, playing many roles with energy that amazed, at one point weaving back and forth on his feet and playing two roles as perhaps only a Muhammad Ali, (in a different vain) also known for moving and speaking, could match.

Their achievements are incredible. Petherbridge is a two time Tony Award nominee who also co-founded “The Actor’s Company” with the great Ian McKellen and had walk on parts in, speaking of greatness, Laurence Olivier’s Othello in 1964.

Mr. Hunter (Paul) is co-founder and artistic director of “Told by an Idiot” which brought us this incredible work.

Ms Hunter (Kathryn) also the play’s director, was the first British actress to play King Lear.

There were so many moments of wisdom, references and humor. One involved “Mr. Olivier” in conversation with Mr. Petherbridge lamenting that movies freeze the actors in time.

In some cases that is a good thing, moving me in a great way, beyond words. “My Perfect Mind” certainly did that.