Come Blow Your Horn. Perth Classic Theatre Festival presents Neil Simon’s debut play.

Photo: Jean-Denis Labelle

The generation gap is at the core of Come Blow Your Horn, Neil Simon’s debut play, first performed in 1961. Like many of the prolific playwright’s later scripts, this comedy is semi-autobiographical, highlighting his sometimes difficult relationship with his older brother and his father.

The ambivalence of his feelings for his older brother is clearly demonstrated in Come Blow Your Horn when 21-year-old Buddy (a.k.a. Simon) leaves the parental home to move in with 33-year-old Alan and emulate his playboy lifestyle. In addition, the sense of responsibility Alan feels for Buddy comes through loud and clear, which is why a number of his actions and words in Act II are a carbon copy of their father’s words and gestures.

In the Classic Theatre Festival production directed by Laurel Smith, Matthew Gorman as Buddy and Lindsay Robinson as older brother Alan are on a seesaw between characterization and caricature, combined with heavy and periodically irritating Brooklyn accents. Fast and funny, but not entirely convincing and never moving, they play up the comedy and play down the reality.

By contrast, Allan Price as their father is warm and caring, as well as being believable in his anger and disappointment with his sons. In addition, his timing is perfectly attuned to maximize the effect of Simon’s comic one-liners.

Meanwhile, Joanna McAuley Treffers presents a clear view of the stereotypical wife and mother focused on providing for her family. She chooses not to attempt an accent that she might not be able to maintain, but this periodically makes her appear less connected to her family.

Adrienne Kress is stylish as Alan’s true love, while Heather Marie Annis is appropriately vacant as the dim bulb with ambitions for a Hollywood career.

Come Blow Your Horn, while not one of Simon’s most memorable comedy/dramas, is still amusing and is given its due in the Classic Theatre Festival production.

Come Blow Your Horn continues to August 3 as part of the Classic Theatre Festival fifth anniversary season.

Director: Laurel Smith

Set and Lighting: David Magladry

Costumes: Renate Seiler

Cast:

Alan Baker……………………………………….Lindsay Robinson

Peggy Evans………………………………………Heather Marie Annis

Buddy Baker……………………………………..Matthew Gorman

Mr. Baker………………………………………..Allan Price

Connie Dayton…………………………………..Adrienne Kress

Mrs. Baker………………………………………Joanna McAuley Treffers