The intimate business of making porn

The ins and outs of making a porn movie — this is the saucy subject of a new play to hit the Bermuda stage.

Respected Canadian writer, director and actor Norm Foster, who was here in 2011 with his successful production On A First Name Basis, makes a return to the island with an original comedy — Skin Flick.

It tells the story of a middle class couple and their cameraman friend who have fallen on hard times and need to make some fast cash. The couple comes up with a cunning plan to make an adult film in the comfort of their home. They go about trying to hire two actors to perform the leading roles and who end up finding themselves in some rather compromising positions. 

Fish out of water

“They come up with this plan but they are like fish out of water — they have no idea what they are getting themselves into,” laughs Foster. 

“They wind up hiring these two people who also have no experience. That is the first act. The second act is all about filming the movie. 

“You wont see any nudity but you will see some skimpy costumes...The humour is clever — it surprises you at times.”

Foster, Canada’s most produced playwright, plays the part of the husband; Nancy Thompson plays his wife; David Nairn, who is directing Skin Flick, will also play the fired cameraman. The actors for the adult film are played by Lizzy Hadler and Bermuda newcomer Vince O’Reilly who used to run his own theatre in Dublin.

The play premiered five years ago at Neptune Theatre in Halifax which commissioned Foster to write it. 

It has been performed in several theatres across Canada and Foster promises that it’s “tried and true”. Although the play has enjoyed several successful runs already, he says that the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society has brought a new life to it.

“I must admit that even though I wrote the play there are times during
rehearsals I blush at some of the things that Vince and Lizzy have to do. 

“Lizzy’s character is very casual and Vince’s is very uptight so there is a contrast there. They are very talented actors and very funny — there are things in this production that I’ve never heard in that way before. They just put a
different spin on it.”

Canadian director David Nairn has been acting in the play since its premiere but will now direct and act in the Bermuda production. 

He told the Bermuda Sun: “It gets a little naughty but it is in good taste. It is a romantic comedy and the play is very cleverly constructed so that no one is going to see anything they don’t want to see. The real power of it is in your imagination. There are parts that are unseen but are certainly spoken of — your imagination creates the scenario. It is implied, it’s very saucy and it is a delightful romp.”