Drowning in Veronica Lake

The sole performer in this captivating play, Alex Ellis answers some questions about what it is like to drown in Veronica Lake.

How did you get involved with the show? 

Phil (the playwright) was googling 1940's film director, Preston Sturges one night and stumbled upon (as you do on Google) an article about Veronica Lake, who had starred in one of Preston Sturges' movies. The article, about her body being smuggled across the USA/Canada border after she died and her ashes being found in a junk shop 40 years later, was so bizarre and far-fetched that it lead to another article and another and another...

There was so much scandal and rumour surrounding her life and although she was one of the biggest Hollywood stars in the 1940s she virtually disappeared unlike her contemporaries, like Rita Hayworth or Marlene Dietrich. She seemed like the Lindsay Lohan of the 1940s and such an unknown entity that we had to find out more. And once we knew more there seemed no doubt we had to write the play. And I couldn't pass up an opportunity to play such a Hollywood glamour girl – who would?!

Have you worked with any of the company on any other shows?

Phil Ormsby of course, Phil is the other half of Flaxworks and a playwright who has written all four of Flaxworks' productions. Nik Janiurek has also been our lighting designer for a couple of our previous shows – he is amazing! But I had never worked with Simon Coleman, the director, or Elizabeth Whiting or Sara Taylor before (our dress designer and creator). I would most definitely work with all of them again if I could. You know some things just come together like a well oiled machine to create magic and that's what happened here! Veronica Lake magic...

I guess I'd never worked with Veronica Lake before either, she's pretty amazing too but the drinking, the men, she could drink us all under the table...

And what about your role…any particular challenges?

So many Challenges! I am the solo performer which is always a slightly scary prospect, realising there’s only you out there with no safety net. And although I have performed a solo show before you can never escape the fear and the adrenaline rush of taking to the stage alone! Playing a real person was also a challenge. We made a conscious decision not to try and copy Veronica Lake exactly or turn the performance into a tribute show but I do feel a responsibility to portray my interpretation of her with some love – I don’t want to make her perfect but I do want to show her some respect.

There’s also the American accent…

and not being able to move from the spot for the entire show…

Ha! Challenge schmallenge, I love it all!

Alex Ellis as Veronica Lake.

What sort of audience reaction have you received so far?

Amazing, people have really loved the show. I think people have been impressed by all aspects of the production, (which is wonderful for everyone involved who put so much effort in to making the show!). Most of all I think people are surprised by it and by Veronica Lake. She was an amazing woman who lived a spectacular life that didn’t always go to plan. A true story, full of glamour, booze, the wrong men and money… what’s not to love?

What will be the strongest idea we will take away from the show?

Be careful what you wish for...

All that glitters is not gold...

Things are not always what they seem...

Apart from the cliches those basically are the themes for the show. It's the Hollywood curse of thinking someone has it all and then realising the truth is not always what you see and that the pressure can be too much.


Drowning in Veronica Lake opens in Circa Two on 1 November and runs until 12 November. To book your tickets, contact the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.