I Ought to be in Pictures – Library Theatre, Manchester

Writer: Neil Simon

Director: Paul Jepson

Reviewer: Poppy Helm

The Public Reviews Rating:

In the 40 years since it’s original Los Angeles debut, Neil Simon’s I Ought To Be In Pictures has found success on both stage and screen. The Library Theatre Company’s production on this side of the pond portrays a story that hardly seems to have aged at all.

New York born Libby arrives unannounced on her father’s doorstep sixteen years after he walked out on her mother. Herb’s failing writing career and flagging relationship with partner Steffy are called into question by the outspoken Libby, who harbours her own misguided dreams of stardom. As a bitter undercurrent gives way to a clumsy affection, these two strangers find what they’re missing in each other.

Paul Wills’ attention detail is a major contributor to the emotional charge of this production as he transforms the stage into Herb Tucker’s dilapidated bungalow. In true naturalistic style, the audience forms a ‘fourth wall’ to a lounge and kitchen where every item has been carefully selected, from the curtains to the coffee pot. As a result, every moment is magnified as we get a real sensation of peeking in on somebody else’s world. Paul Jepson’s direction is similarly effective; early on, Herb and Libby constantly move around the space in a literal reflection of their verbal jousting. As their relationship becomes more stable so do they, culminating in their frank discussion about sex sat knee to knee on the sofa.

The female characters are played with confidence; Elizabeth Carling presents a dignified, intelligent Steffy that isn’t prepared to ‘settle’ despite her lover’s reluctance to commit while Kirsty Osmon’s Libby strikes the perfect balance between teenage bravado and the child that just wants to be loved. However good the female actors are, it’s Stuart Fox’s Herb that really wins our hearts; his gradual transformation from distant writer to caring ‘Daddy’ is truthful but without losing the essence of his character; the sharp one-liners and sarcastic quips keep this firmly intact.

This exploration of the special bond between father and daughter is both deeply poignant and surprisingly funny. Buy a ticket, bring some tissues and experience what may well be one of the best plays in Manchester this year.