A tame walk on the wild side

Okay. Adult skin flicks might not be your first choice of movies to go see. Likely also not an actor’s top pick of movies in which to appear, if his or her professional goals are to develop serious acting abilities and a credible reputation in the craft.

But Magnus’ upcoming production entitled Skin Flick, the last in this season’s mainstage lineup, will have everyone grinning and comfortably enjoying the antics of a talented cast of six in another of playwright Norm Foster’s zany comedies.

We meet a couple of true but determined innocents, struggling actors down on their luck, empty in their wallets and at the bank, who decide to bite their respective desperation bullets and take the plunge, as it were. Granted they don’t quite know what they’re getting into. But as is said in the movie biz or, come to think of it, in any biz: nothing ventured, nothing gained. Or maybe let’s make that: life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.

Liz Gilroy’s pretty perky style is perfect for her role as the star of Skin Flick. In character, Jill told me why she’s landed this part.

In a nervous rush she explained, "I’m an actress, like, a serious actress. I work part time, singing telegrams. I have done film and theatre. But unfortunately I got let go from the singing telegram job. And now, my car’s not working, I don’t have a lot of money saved; I’m living paycheck to paycheck. So this is an opportunity."

Suddenly she seemed in need of reassurance. "They seem like nice people and, um, I thought I’d give it a shot," she said, almost faltering but not quite. "The fellow in this movie with me is very nice, a really nice guy. Oh, do I seem nervous? It’s just jitters. I’ll be fine."

Scott Maudsley’s tall form and boyishly handsome face also make him ideal for his role as Byron, the skin flick male. In character, Byron started off smiling. But asked about rehearsals with Jill, his confidence gave way in turns to sheepishness and charming discomfort.

"I have to admit I’ve never done anything like this before. Alex the camera-man, he’s a friend of mine, well he got me into this for the money and," he gulped, "Jill, who’s the star of the show and a really nice, um, cute lady, she was looking for the guy to play opposite her. And for some reason, I don’t know why, she looked at me and wanted me to be in the show."
He glanced at her, flushed. "I mean, you can’t say no to a beautiful woman, can ya."

The facial expression and demeanour Vince Metcalf assumed as he began to speak in his character Rollie were as droll as the name itself. With amused detachment Rollie conceded that being married to a wife who directs skin flicks might fall a tad on the unusual side.

"Yes. It is. I’m, uh, I’m supplying the costumes. Or lack thereof," he clarified. "My wife’s also writing the script, scheduling the filming, leading the actors through their paces. Do I have input in any of this? Oh no. I would never dream of giving my wife suggestions in her field of expertise."

Skin Flick, a tame enough walk on the wild side, opens April 8 and romps through to April 24. Be prepared to grin!