I Ought To Be in Pictures

In one of Neil Simon’s more serious plays, struggling Los Angeles based screenwriter Herb has an unexpected visit from his nineteen-year-old daughter, Libby. Herb hasn’t seen Libby for sixteen years, not since he walked out on the family. Libby has come all the way from New York to seek fame as a Hollywood actress and believes Herb can help her. What follows is a long, drawn-out debate cum arguments salted with humour, about the past and present, and which partly resolves itself with Herb having another attempt at fatherhood.

The situation is further complicated by Herb’s sometime live-in paramour Steffy. She is sympathetic to Libby while struggling to come to terms with her own relationship with Herb. All this takes place in Herb’s one-bedroom bungalow in non-glamorous West Hollywood.

I’m sure if Neil Simon was watching from above he would be proud of the Cairns Little Theatre production. James Mousa as Herb was at the top of his game. His American accent, a New York one, never wavered, while his acting was outstanding. He looked exactly what he was supposed to be, a struggling screen writer wrestling with complicated personal relationships.

As Libby, Morgan Elliston, more than matched Mousa. The Libby role is a challenging one and Morgan went deep into the character to bring Libby to life. Her body language complemented her acting to bring out what was an amazing performance.

Finally, Heather Baker, as Steffy, was brilliant in a tricky role.  She looked every inch the part and brought out Steffy’s decency throughout the play. The three actors all made what was happening on stage look real.

The play was smoothly directed by Narelle Shorey.

Ken Cotterill 

Image: Morgan Elliston (l) and Heather Baker.