Last of the Red Hot Lovers

Neil Simon’s comedy set in the supposedly sexually liberated 60’s is very funny and at times quite touching.  The set is that of a Park Lane apartment belonging to the mother of Theo Cashman, a middle-aged married man who runs a fish restaurant and describes his life as being “nice”. But is this enough?  Attitudes are changing and Theo is determined to grab a slice of the action before it’s too late. He decides to use his mother’s apartment for a series of liaisons.  These would take place during the afternoon when mother is out attending to her charitable work.

David Smithet’s portrayal of Theo Cashman was excellent. He really captured the plight of a man determined to break loose from the familiar, but finding it impossible to shake off his guilt and inhibitions to become a suave seducer.  His twitchiness, in particular his obsession with smelling his fingers for signs of fish was quite hilarious and indicative of the character’s unease. Very well done.

Netti Hayes really captured the character of Elaine Navazio, the first of the three women invited to the apartment, whose relaxed attitude to having affairs appeared to throw poor Theo off course.  She’d done it all before and plied with whisky and cigarettes (despite her incessant coughing she refuses a drink of water), was a more than willing would be partner. Another very good piece of acting.

A terrific performance from Phoebe Hayes as actress Bobbi Michele, relaying her escapades in her quest to become famous.  Whether or not poor Theo wished to hear all she had to say appeared to be neither here nor there. He’d arranged to meet her with only one thing in mind but somehow the moment passed. This was an absolute hoot and some really great comic acting.  Well done.

Judy Curry was excellent as Jeanette Fisher, the third and last of Theo’s attempted seductions, who also happened to be the wife of his best friend.  A gloomy and dowdy character clinging onto her handbag despite Theo’s efforts to free her of it, this was a great piece of acting. Her determination to pay back her husband for cheating on her does not rest easily with Theo and so once again his efforts at seduction fail.

Director Sandra King really brought out the best in this talented cast. The presentation was slick and the pace never slackened. Each of the four characters was totally believable and you could sense the dissatisfaction in the lives of the three females, each of whom had their own reason to agree to come to the apartment.  The costumes for the most part were fine although I’m not so sure about Theo’s green suit.  Maybe it was in the costume plot, in which case all was as it should be!

The set was adequate although I did wonder if it looked upmarket enough for Park Lane. Perhaps a little more attention to the doors and walls could have made a difference. I appreciate that sourcing stage props can be a nightmare so in the absence of a couch or chaise more fitting of the period, perhaps it might have been better to have covered the couch completely in some way rather than use a lace throw.  The modern wooden legs did look rather out of place.  The ceiling light was a nice touch though.

This was another good evening’s entertainment from a Society fortunate to have some very talented actors.

Thank you for inviting me.

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