A Societal Study in ‘Two Small Bodies’

Multiple messages pervade “Two Small Bodies,” now at the Company of Angels. Neal Bell’s two-character study of societal hypocrisy regarding maternal sexuality raises more questions than it answers, not always deliberately.

Inspired by the 1966 Alice Crimmins child-murder case, Bell eschews naturalism, introducing his suspected Medea, cocktail hostess Eileen (Caerthan Banks), in full gyration to the blare of Kenny Klimak’s sound design. With the arrival of pre-biased detective Brann (Keith A. Brush), a neo-noir riff evolves, drawing this pair closer while unraveling their motives.

Under Eric Mofford’s stark, Expressionistic direction, the play is most effective as psychosexual exercise, both actors displaying notable commitment. Banks’ purposely lower-case delivery masks primal outrage, landing lines like “Men want to make love to absolute beauty. Women just want to make love” with conviction. Brush maneuvers his soft-focus Gary Sinise quality and sibilant vocal timbre to comparable effect, juggling clipped snideness and perverse fascination with assurance.

However, while the execution and authorial intent are determined, the architecture and thematic statement are indeterminate. The various sociological elements abut rather than blend with the interrogative and satirical points, with the title metaphor unsubtly extended and the resolution less enigmatic than convenient.

Early on, Brann says, “You want false hope, go to church. This is reality.” Well, no, though such implosive subtext and character detailing could gain credence in the independent film arena.

“Two Small Bodies,” Company of Angels, 2106 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. Thursdays-Fridays, 8 p.m. Ends June 28. $15. (323) 883-1717. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.