Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Thursday 3rd August 2017.
St. Jude's Players are presenting
Neil Simon's gentle comedy,
Rose's Dilemma, under the experienced direction of Brian Godfrey.
Author,
Rose Steiner, hasn't written a word in years and is running short of money through her extravagant spending. Walsh McLaren, her late lover, left behind an unfinished book of his own that offers an opportunity to bring in an income by completing it. She enlists the help of a young author, Gavin Clancy, with only one book to his name, but she is not impressed by his demeanour and attitude. Her assistant, Arlene Moss, helps to keep the project on track, with unexpected results.
Loosely based on the relationship of playwright,
Lillian Hellman, and mystery novel author,
Dashiell Hammett, reviews of the play, which opened in 2003, were uncomplimentary. It certainly demands a massive suspension of disbelief. Five year's after Walsh's death from a heart attack on her balcony, she still chats to his ghost, or her imaginary vision of him, which we see although the rest of the characters do not. It is a far cry from some of Simon's earlier works, drawing smiles more than laughs, which are few and far between. That said, Godfrey and his cast manage to turn this script into an evening of frivolous fun.
Before anything else, we see Mary-Jane Minear's very impressive set design, which makes the St. Jude's stage look surprisingly large. It serves well as Rose's luxury home in The Hamptons, Long Island. With the help of the lighting design, by Leigh Wheatley and Phil Moyles, Walsh's ghost's entrances and exits work very smoothly.
Rose is played by Lyn Wilson, who offers another fine performance as the woman who cannot let go of the past until forced to face the present. Wilson's reading aloud of the farewell letter from Walsh when he must move on to the next stage, which, of course, Rose wrote, is a superbly poignant transitional stage in the story. Godfrey cast this role particularly well.
Andrew Horwood plays her supernatural lover, Walsh, treading a careful line, part Walsh and part Rose's creation, seemingly independent, then pointing out that he is not real and merely reciting the words that she gives him. Horwood's considerable experience shows. Walsh offers her his help when he announces that his time is up in two weeks and that he must leave. The afterlife has schedules and deadlines. Who knew?
Arlene is played by Laura Antoniazzi, adding to her rapidly growing body of highly creditable work. Her sympathetic interpretation of the role peaks when she confronts Rose in a powerfully emotional moment. Antoniazzi is becoming a much sought after artist due to her capability of embracing a diverse range of characters, and is ready for greater challenges.
Simon Lancione plays Gavin as a cocky young man with a touch of self-deprecation, bitter at the lack of response to his first and only work, realising that here is a great opportunity, but refusing to give in too easily. This could easily have been a superficial character, but Lancione finds the depth in it. Keep an eye on this young actor.
Simon's script leaves something to be desired, but this performance manages to disguise the many shortcomings through solid performances. It is worth going out on a cold wet night to see this one.
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