ZELDA'S CUT

While Isobel Latimer’s literary novels receive ever smaller advances, her nonworking husband clamors for a new swimming pool. Isobel and her agent conspire to create a fictional author, Zelda Veer, for whom Isobel will ghostwrite a bestseller with no literary value to fill the family coffers. Norma West’s refined English captures Isobel and her educated husband perfectly, both in dialogue and narrative. West proves equally adept at sliding into sleaze when Isobel dons the wig, clothing, and persona of Zelda. The smarmy pool salesman and Isobel’s gender-confused agent are nailed with equal accuracy. Despite the story’s abrupt and farfetched ending, West’s performance creates a polished production. R.P.L. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]