Gentle Push
Mr. Porter's staging wisely gives
the play a gentle push instead of a
hard shove. As in his prior revival
work, his direction shows much
respect - in this case to Miss Chase,
Mr. Stewart, Miss Hayes, and, most
admirably, Harvey himself.
Having previously played
Elwood both on stage and in the
film version, Mr. Stewart is no
newcomer to the role, and his
interpretation is flawless. His
natural stage presence, effortless
style of acting, and slow, deliberate
manner of delivering a line fit
Elwood's character perfectly,
making him all the more personable.
And in the third act when Mr.
Stewart relates how he met Harvey
and how they spend their time
together in bars meeting people and
making them forget their troubles,
the effect is almost hypnotizing.
You know you are watching one of
the finest American actors there
ever was. Harvey keeps good
company.
Miss Hayes, as the socially aware
Veta, is also magnificent. Harried
by the pooka, she tries to have him
done away with, only to accept him
in the end, exclaiming "What's
wrong with Harvey?!" Miss Hayes
rises to the comic demands of the
part, once again proving herself a
cultured actress as well as a graceful
lady.
