Vincent

This article on IMDb is misleading. Actually, Nimoy doesn't play Vincent Van Gogh but his brother Theo. The history of one man shows is a noble one that goes back to the great Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight. Two other great examples are Henry Fonda in Clarence Darrow and James Whitmore in Give 'em Hell Harry. In Nimoy's autobiography, he mentioned working with Henry Fonda on a movie called The Alpha Caper and was inspired by his Darrow work to write this fine play. Van Gogh is looked upon today as our greatest artist, and yet in his lifetime he was looked upon as an eccentric lunatic. He only sold one painting in his entire life and was supported by his brother Theo. Nimoy gives an intense performance in character as Theo where he talks of his beloved brother. Most people think of Van Gogh as mad, indeed he did slice off his own ear. Nimoy was hosting the popular series In Search Of... when he did this show. He was so intrigued by Van Gogh's life that he did some investigating of his own and wrote an excellent In Search Of episode based on what he found. Nimoy went to France and researched Van Gogh's medical records and found out that what he actually suffered from was not insanity but epilepsy. There was a very moving scene at the end of the episode where Nimoy renacted Theo's last moments with his dying brother. He delivered a very moving monologue that I wish they had included in the play. Its just a shame that everyone just thinks of Leonard Nimoy as Mister Spock. He is very versatile and talented and this excellent piece of theater bears it out.

While Vincent is a one man show, brilliantly acted by Leonard Nimoy, Leonard plays both Theo and Vincent, not just Theo. He achieved the the contrast between the two brothers by a simple change of coats, a suit coat for Theo, a rough peasant coat for Vincent. Theo's words were spoken mostly in front of a desk on stage right, sometimes in the center of the two picture screens that showed Van Gogh paintings. Vincent spoke stage left in an artist's room, easel, rough table and stool. While Theo was an urbane gentleman, and Vincent, a troubled artist,Leonard slipped easily between the two very different roles.

I was with the show from the start as lighting designer for the stage version and consultant for the taped version. Frankly, in my many years in the theatre, working with Leonard Nimoy, and working on Vincent, was one of my favorite experiences. Watching Leonard in the production night after night was something special. And while the filmed version is good, the stage version was excellent.

Just for the record, deo838 is incorrect. Leonard Nimoy does in fact play just one character here, and it is Theo Van Gogh. On occasion during his eulogy for his late brother, Theo does an "impression" of Vincent, but that's exactly what it is: Nimoy playing Theo who every now and then imitates Vincent. He is also incorrect to refer to this as a filmed version separate from the stage play. This is a videotaped performance of the play as given in Minneapolis' Guthrie Theater.

Those points aside, this is indeed a very interesting program, and goes beyond just the play. Afterwards, the camera follows Nimoy backstage and into his dressing room, where he speaks to the camera, summarizing the remainder of Theo's life. Then the actor launches into a discussion of the artist, including location footage. This sequence is highly reminiscent of the episode of the Nimoy-hosted/narrated series "In Search Of..." about Vincent, and which the actor himself scripted. Fascinating from beginning to end.

This is a one-man play starring Leonard Nimoy. It was apparently shown on television back in 1981, though I saw it on DVD. It begins with a prologue where Nimoy explains his reasons for the play and ends with an epilogue as well. In between, Nimoy plays Theo Van Gogh--Vincent's brother. So, the title is a bit misleading.

The setting is a week after Vincent's funeral. In real life, Theo was so broken up by Vincent's early death that he couldn't speak at the funeral. This fictionalized story is Theo talking to all of his friends about his brother once he was able to do so. What follows is an amazingly good one-man show where Nimoy bounces back and forth--playing Theo as well as Theo talking for his brother. It's full of Vincent's short-comings, quirk and hangups--but also talks of his greatness and what a great loss it is to the world that he took his own life.

I chose to watch this film mostly because I love learning about Van Gogh. When I taught psychology, we did a couple classes on the man--learning about his greatness but mostly discussing his tortured mental state. However, the play was not completely correct when it came to discussing Van Gogh's mental health. Van Gogh sliced off PART of an ear because he was slicing his throat to commit suicide. He NEVER gave it to a prostitute--this is a myth. In fact, the local police collected it as evidence when he was taken to the hospital. Also, although epilepsy or some sort of brain tumor or lesion MIGHT have contributed to Van Gogh's problems, the most likely diagnoses would include Bipolar Disorder and alcohol/drug abuse (perhaps in an effort to self-treat the mood swings). If you read up on Bipolar Disorder, it fits Van Gogh perfectly--with his debilitating periods of severe depression and wild periods of intense energy where he'd paint for days on end. Porphyria and other diseases have also been suggested--but it would seem Bipolar is the best fit--especially since it is unfortunately relatively common. I can't blame the play for this, as Bipolar Disorder (then called 'Manic-Depression') was not as well-known or diagnosed.

I was fortunate enough to be at this live performance of "Vincent" when it was recorded at the Guthrie Theater in July 1981. Leonard Nimoy, as Theodore Van Gogh, really makes the audience feel like they're part of a conversation and remembrance of Vincent Van Gogh through the voice of his brother. Beautiful artwork enhances the show and Leonard did an excellent job of getting good reproductions from which to make slides. The collaboration with the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis is evident in the excellent set production.

If you have the opportunity to see this show, do it. I think it's one of Leonard Nimoy's finest performances and I feel fortunate that I was there to experience it live.