"The Lover" and "The Dumb Waiter," The Garage Theatre, Long Beach, CA

Had you pre-read Harold Pinter’s two short plays The Lover and The Dumb Waiter, directed by Amy-Louise Sebelius for The Garage Theatre, you wouldn’t have missed the production’s delicate twists and turns.

The Lover follows a Husband (Cliff E. Threadgold) and his Wife (Jessica Variz). (NOTE: Two casts alternate performances. Check for details). As he leaves for work he inquires politely (Britishly) as to whether his wife’s Lover will visit. Yes, she responds, and asks him to stay out until 6. He obliges because he himself is plans to avail himself of the services of a Prostitute. Consenting adults, British understatement, why the hell not?

The Husband returns home. Each discuss their respective days as if they were discussing palaver gleaned while they retrieved mail or else overheard gossip over the water cooler.

The cycle repeats a few more times. Interesting. Then it becomes sort of clear (of which more later) that the Husband is actually the Lover and the Wife is actually the Prostitute.

Then the Husband, in his role as the Lover, tires of the Prostitute. Does it mean that he’s tiring of the game? Does it mean that he’s also tiring of his Wife? Does it mean that he’s tiring of his marriage? Yes, yes, and yes.

The best thing about the production was Rachel Vittori’s set design. You sensed that something was amiss with the marriage. The garish lime green suggested nausea and dissonance, a portent of a failing (failed) marriage. Husband and Wife sat on opposite sides of the stage.

The direction, though, was muddled. This short play didn’t have the requisite focus. We don’t know whether it’s a taut psychological drama or else an ironic comedy.

Ditto for The Dumb Waiter. The story and the visuals work fine. Two hired killers wait in the basement of an abandoned restaurant to carry out their next job. The set features strewn tables, chairs, and litter. The space is claustrophobic, the better to focus on Ben (Variz) and Gus (Threadgold) as they fuss and tussle over everything from making tea to discussing their next hit.

Suddenly the dumb waiter sends down food orders. Flummoxed, Gus sends up the contents of his pockets. It turns out that the victim is Gus, whom Ben quickly dispatches. At least that’s how it reads in the script. Wow!

As enacted, though, it’s hard to understand that’s what happens. Whereas The Lover’s story should have unfolded like an onion, psychological layer by psychological layer, The Dumb Waiter required a last second Aha! moment to signal that Ben’s reluctance to discuss the job with Gus was because Gus was the target. It wasn't there.

As with The Lover, The Dumb Waiter doesn’t get set up. What should have been a startling ending fizzles. How did we know it was over? The lights came on.

Performances are 8pm, Thu – Sat. The plays run until May 17. Tickets are $12-15. The Theatre is located at 251 E. 7th St. For more info call 433-8337 or visit www.thegaragetheatre.org.