Lowlife lives the high life in 'Jerusalem'

It has nothing to do with the Middle East, though it is about lost tribes. Jez Butterworth's fascinating "Jerusalem," imported from London to showcase the uncontainable and strenuous life-force named Mark Rylance, is set in a junk-piled clearing of an Old English woods where, just maybe, giants, elves and fairies once flourished.

All that's left of the ancients, or so he may believe, is Johnny "Rooster" Byron (Rylance), who might have magic in him. On the other hand, he definitely is also a raucous, wild-living derelict and broken-down former daredevil who lives there in a trailer, dispensing drugs, escape and whatever to generations of teens and village misfits. Facing eviction by court order at dawn, Rooster lives large through a last sordid, slobby, altogether riveting village-fair day before civilization -- or the real estate developer -- obliterates this world.

We don't have to know that "Jerusalem" refers to a popular English hymn and a William Blake poem to be drawn into the three-hour theatrical bacchanal.

Nor do we have to decide, ultimately, whether Butterworth's gorgeously written but sprawling comedy-drama and Ian Rickson's unpredictably visceral production evoke anything more profound than wistful, bawdy stirrings of a '60s Renaissance fair.

What's transformative is Rylance, seen at this same theater last fall in an electrifying, gross-out portrayal of an obnoxious street performer in "La Bete." Here he appears to have puffed himself up to careen like a giant plastic pool toy. We first see him after a hard night of partying, a bra hanging from one beefy, tattooed arm, before he tips completely over into a headstand in a water trough.

And off he goes. Rylance, whom many in England consider their greatest actor, creates the kind of eccentric who shows off even when alone -- or especially when alone. With comic eyebrows and mustache like fat black caterpillars, the man is both a charismatic Pied Piper and a scary mystery who deepens into something like grandeur in the final scenes.

The rest of the company is completely worthy of him, including Mackenzie Crook as Rooster's buddy, and gifted American John Gallagher Jr., as a kid leaving for Australia. Not worthy is the gratuitous presence of live animals on the stylized stage.

Pressed on the meaning of his play, Butterworth has said, "To be honest, I wrote whatever would give me goose bumps." That works.

WHAT "Jerusalem"

WHERE Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St.

INFO $61.50-$126.50; 212-239-6200; jerusalembroadway.com

BOTTOM LINE Magnificent Rylance, fascinating play