Theater

Belfast Blues: Writer-performer Geraldine Hughes’ autobiographical reverie, though small-scaled, is thoroughly satisfying. Hughes, a pint-sized morph of Margaret Lockwood and Emily Watson, with more than a drop o’ Lucille Ball, eschews the obvious in her account of growing up in war-torn Belfast and the American “fillum” role that changed her life. Hughes’ technique, juggling multiple personas between stylized aspects of herself, is immaculate. The same is true of her writing -- Hughes has the word thing down cold. Director Charles Haid knowingly frames this breakout talent with sleek expertise.

-- David C. Nichols

Ends Sunday at the Black Dahlia Theatre, 5453 Pico Blvd., L.A. (323) 856-4200.