By Robert Sean Leonard received high praise for his turn as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird at London's Barbican Theatre last night (July 2).
The House actor reprised the role he played at Regent's Park's Open Air Theatre in 2013, in Christopher Sergel's adaptation of Harper Lee's classic novel.
Leonard's Finch was described by BritishTheatre.com as "perfection, complete with slightly crumpled lined three piece suit", adding: "It's a magical performance that makes every other cast member's job that much easier."
The Stage said that he appeared "noble but also humble, and while there are inevitable echoes of Gregory Peck in his performance, he makes the role his own".
Sergel's production features an ensemble cast reading extracts from the novel while the story unfolds, with child actors Rosie Boore, Billy Price and Milo Panni also receiving high acclaim.
American actor Leonard recently admitted that he would pick theatre over TV and film every time if the pay was better.
"I love it," he told the Evening Standard. "The hours are great, I can see my kids all day long, you don't have to be at the theatre until 7.30pm and you're home by Letterman.
"I love the writing, I love Shaw, I love O'Neill, I love Stoppard, I love Shakespeare. Love love love in a way that gave me that first glow which brought me to this business."
He also said that he didn't like the idea of To Kill a Mockingbird on stage at first, saying: "The movie's so good and the book's so good. The first day [of rehearsals] I came home and thought, 'I've made a terrible mistake'.
"My wife wanted a summer in London! Also, it scared me. I never knew what that meant but it is true, the things that make you nervous are usually the things you will grow doing and maybe even enjoy the most. I didn't think it would work. But I was wrong - it did."
To Kill a Mockingbird continues at the Barbican Theatre until July 25.
