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Finding Inspiration In Modern Morality Play
Tuesday June 19, 2007
By Dionne Christian from www.nzherald.co.nz
Lobby Hero is set in New York where a murder investigation begins after a group of young men are accused of killing a nurse.
It features four characters: Jeff (Kip Chapman), a wise-cracking slacker working as a security guard; William (Jarod Rawiri), who is Jeff’s boss and the brother of one of the accused; rookie cop Dawn (Fleur Saville) who is on the cusp of an assault charge; and Bill (Moy), a uniformed cop about to be made a detective.
Although not directly involved in the murder, they get dragged into the investigation and find their separate fates placed accidentally into each other’s hands.
Director Caroline Bell-Booth describes Lobby Hero as “a serious comedy” with a traditional morality tale at its heart.
“It’s about loyalty and duty but at no stage is the truth of what happened revealed,” says Bell-Booth, who directed Lonergan’s This is Our Youth at the Silo in 2005.
“Nothing is straightforward in this story because life isn’t like that. I have read this play through dozens of times now and I’m still finding nuances and pondering the moral dilemmas.”
Bell-Booth has an extensive theatre-directing background but has spent 18 months working on Shortland Street.
She says one of the joys of returning to theatre, albeit temporarily, was picking her own cast.
She was troubled about who to cast as Bill.
“I was watching In My Father’s Den [Moy played Andrew, brother of Paul, played by Matthew Macfadyen] and thought, ‘Why not Colin? He’d be perfect’ – and he is. He brings an immense sensitivity to the part which, like all the others, is complex.”
Bell-Booth describes the character as “a complete and utter bastard” but Moy is quick to argue a different side to Bill’s personality, saying he is loyal, dedicated and determined but dangerous when crossed.
Surprisingly it is the first time Moy, who won a best supporting actor award for his role in In My Father’s Den, has played a police officer. At more than 1.8m tall, with piercing blue eyes, he seems a natural for such a role.
It is also the first time that Shortland Street starlet Fleur Saville has played a police officer. In fact, it is the first time Saville, 22, has acted in a full-length dramatic production.
Bell-Booth, who works with Saville on Shortland Street, thought the young actor needed a new challenge.
Saville is relishing the opportunity and welcomes the support of more experienced cast members Moy, Chapman and Rawiri.
“I know everyone says it but I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive cast. They have been amazing.”
Moy, in turn, praises his young co-star’s willingness to take risks.
“It’s so exciting to watch someone growing and learning. It takes me back to when I was at that stage in my career – when you suddenly make a breakthrough and get what you have being asked to do.”
While Moy continues to act, he is taking his work in new directions with playwriting. Working on Lobby Hero has been inspirational.
“There is so much going on and the more you look into the play, the richer it becomes. If I could write half as well as this guy … ”
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Event Details
Date: Thursday, 21 June 2007 – Saturday, 21 July 2007
Time: Mon/Tue 7pm, Wed-Sat 8pm
Venue: Silo Theatre
Venue Address: Lower Greys Ave
Location: Auckland CBD, Auckland City, Auckland
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