Molly
Noted British playwright Simon Gray, fascinated by the details of a thirties murder trial and without checking too many facts, decided to write a fictional version. The result is Molly, now running at the Big Victory Theatre in Burbank. Despite its more recent (1977) vintage, the play reads (and plays) just like the murder plots of that earlier period. Molly (Giselle Wolf) is a quintessential diva who survives by her good looks if not her pleasant personality. She has married Teddy (Don Moss) a wealthy industrialist, but treats him with disdain. To assuage her insatiable desires, she contrives to bed a rather slow teen-ager from the village, gradually elevating him to become her chauffeur, and all under her husband’s nose.
Molly is oblivious to the ardent devotion and inappropriate ardor of the estate housekeeper, Eve (Ann Gee Byrd), whose jealousy eventually proves her undoing. In exposing Molly’s tryst, Eve precipitates an argument that ends with someone’s murder. You, dear reader, may be dying to know who got the ax (literally), but how could I give that major plot point away? It would spoil all the fun of this venerable type of drawing room theatre. Suffice it to say that all the wrong people seem to receive their come-uppances as the proverbial curtain falls.
The production boasts one of the best settings (designed by Elizabeth Hayden-Passero) to grace the Victory stage in recent times. Built with photo-realistic precision, the comfortable room comes across as we might imagine a British country home to be. The simple lighting (by Carol Doehring) fills the space unobtrusively, while the sound designed by Rob Corn blends in well. Costumes are vaguely period appropriate without creating caricatures, with the possible exception of young Max Roeg’s chauffeur outfit.
In keeping with the style that is as worn-down as an old shoe (not one of Gray’s best plays, in my view), director Passero has guided the cast to play their respective roles in unambiguous, broad strokes. As Molly, Giselle Wolf is pouty and honeyed by turns. As Teddy, Don Moss huffs and shuffles through every scene. Max Roeg brings a vulnerability and a decent accent to the young villager, Oliver, while Ann Gee Byrd is solid but underused as the housekeeper, Eve. Geoffrey Wade, too, makes the most of Inspector Greaves while Bryant Weber appears only briefly as the Constable.
Molly continues through December 20th on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. at the Victory Theatre Center, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank 91505. Tickets $22.00 to $34.00. Phone (818) 841-5421 or www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org.