Playwright Toys Too Coyly With ‘Decadence’

In concept, at least, William Mittler’s new theatrical effort, “Decadence,” must have seemed playful, perhaps even provocative.

The mystery thriller is set in 1920s London among writers who drink too much, then reduce the world--and one another--to ashes with acidic repartee. Having pushed hedonism to excess, they have become world-weary and now seem almost to spurn their success. Their once-gilded lives have lost their sheen.

It’s a promising premise, but Mittler treats it so coyly, so enigmatically, that intentions cloud and meaning gets lost. Director Amber Jackson applies an arty, film-noirish veneer in its premiere at Stages in Anaheim, but style is no substitute for substance.

“Decadence” plays out in the fashionable home shared by novelist Neil Wallace (Michael Quinn) and his lover, Chris Lake (Michael M. Miller), a painter. After a breakthrough success, Neil has been plagued by four years of writer’s block when disturbing events begin. A woman named Thalia is sighted--except that’s impossible, because Neil killed her. A mysterious woman, Hermine Middleton (Pamela Pedder), shows up, snooping through Neil’s papers and claiming to know Thalia.

Neil’s chums congregate--socialite Elizabeth Chezlight (Paige Giffin), lowbrow novelist Charles Molton (Matthew Tully), unappreciated poet Ridley Johnson (Joseph Hamblen) and boisterous, tuxedo-clad French journalist Juno Morpheus (Patti Cumby)--and, to varying degrees, become swept up in the intrigue.

Who is Thalia? Is she a real woman? Or is she a metaphor for Neil’s muse?

Sadly, the more apropos question: Who cares?

Performance quality is all over the map, but a couple of the actresses come through nicely. As mystery woman Hermine, Pedder smiles knowingly, her eyes taunting with unrevealed secrets. And, bad French accent notwithstanding, Cumby’s Juno is an outsize presence with magenta hair and a throaty laugh.

*

Set designer Patrick Gwaltney puts a few artful pieces (white pillars, curvy couch) on a bare stage, a chic, restrained touch that looks all the better under Kirk Huff’s moody, color-saturated lights.

As for Mittler, perhaps, like his character, he needs to push through writer’s block. He’s a member of the company, and Stages has presented a number of his plays, some of which were favorably reviewed. The typewriter awaits.

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* “Decadence,” Stages, 1188 N. Fountain Way, Anaheim. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday. $10. Ends June 14. (714) 630-3059. Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes.

Michael Quinn: Neil Wallace

Pamela Pedder: Hermine Middleton

Patti Cumby: Juno Morpheus

Paige Giffin: Elizabeth Chezlight

Michael M. Miller: Chris Lake

Matthew Tully: Charles Molton

Joseph Hamblen: Ridley Johnson

Laura Lynn Orlow: Thalia Hedonley

Kreg Donahoe or Ken Jaedicke: Jim O’Brien

A Stages production of William Mittler’s play. Directed by Amber Jackson. Sound: Paige Giffin. Technical director: Jon Gaw.