BWW Reviews: GHOST-WRITER Showcases Lynskey's Acting Talent at MetroStage

It's New York City, 1919. Myra Babbage (Susan Lynskey), dressed in a period-appropriate, prim and proper long blue dress and white jacket (designed by Ivania Stack), is doing as she has for years and typing out the manuscript for Franklin Woolsey's (Paul Morella) latest novel in a small, sparse study (expertly designed by Jane Fink). The only change? Woolsey is - after years of collaboration - now dead. His meddling wife Vivian (Helen Hedman) is now a widow. Babbage, an expert typist with a knack for correct punctuation, continues his creative endeavor. As she waits for his inspiration, she reminds an unseen and unheard interviewer of the employer/man she greatly respected in more ways than one. The interviewer asks a question. She answers as she continues to work.

This is the premise of Michael Hollinger's Ghost-Writer now in production at Alexandria's MetroStage under the direction of John Vreeke. This mysterious and contemplative story, reportedly loosely based on Theodora Bosanquet (secretary to Henry James for almost ten years until his death in 1916), is by no means the most interesting depiction of the creative writing process that's come along even if the premise is certainly a novel one. Although mostly well-paced, the jokes and discussion about punctuation and Babbage typing for a man who is not really there get old quickly; that said, it's worthy of a look if only for the brilliance that is Lynskey's heartbreaking acting. As the witty, sharp, and ultimately loyal typist with more to offer than just moving her fingers across the keys, she proves she can display more acting range while sitting at an old typewriter than many of her peers can with much more 'help.' Her fellow actors, who admittedly are tasked with portraying weaker drawn characters, also do a professional job even if Morella's line delivery is a bit stiff and stilted - acting choice or not, it hardly make for compelling theatre.

Aided also by minimal sound design (Robert Garner), including nearly pristine music clearly - if not a bit too clearly - emanating from an old-time record player, and lighting (Alexander Keen), the early 20^th century literary world comes to life. If it does nothing else, it reminds us of the power of the creative experience.

Running Time: 80 minutes with no intermission.

Ghost-Writer plays at MetroStage- 1201 N. Royal Street in Alexandria, VA - until June 2, 2013. For tickets, call 1-800-494-8497 or purchase them online.

Photo Credit: Christopher Banks (Lynskey and Morella pictured).