Flat N' Tasty!

Dear Mr Bostwick,

I would much appreciate your help with the following 2 questions.

Q1. Is a pikelet really only a small pancake? The Missus (Kendra) reckons that's all it is, but I think there's a bit more to it.
What's the go, Mr B?

Q2. Acting wise do you lean more toward Stanislavski or the teachings of Meisner?

Regards,

Hugh Garfuncle
Booragoon
WESTERN AUSTRALIA



My Dearest Hugh,

You've really tested my culinary powers with this one - you sent me straight to the web to get clarification. What we in the US know as pancakes or flapjacks are mostly known as pancakes by you in the UK and former British Commonwealth countries. Although quite similar, the chief difference appears to be that the American version has a 'raising agent' like yeast involved in its creation - whereas you Brits, Kiwis and Aussies prefer a 'flatter' or 'thinner' pancake.

What is known as a pikelet or drop scone in Britain and former Commonwealth nations is called a silver-dollar pancake over here. Once again we prefer a raising agent. The chief difference between a pikelet and a pancake apart from size, is that a pikelet is usually served cold. I hope this has been of assistance.

Your question re: acting techniques. I was first introduced to Stanislavski by the late great Paul Lynde. It was New England and I was in a summer stock production of The Music Man. Lynde was a consumate Stanislavskian rather than a Method Actor. He felt that Strasberg's own interpretations of Stanislavski had diluted the great man's work. Years later during the whacky television sitcom "Temperatures Rising" I ran into Paul at the ABC Commisary and he directed me towards the work of Sanford Meisner. I actually knew Meisner a little - who didn't back then?! (interrobang). He was always bringing out his bongoes at various parties and playing along with the latest Carpenters' or Rod McKuen record. But if Paul said Meisner was on to something acting-wise, well naturally I took it a little more seriously.

I've been at this acting lark now, man and boy for forty years, so it is in my very bones. I don't worry too much about emotional memory these days. My last great acting teacher was, of all people, David Mamet. I was in a very early version of Glengarry Glen Ross, simply called "It's My Motherf___ing Party and I'll Cry if I Want To". I played Ricky Roma who I thought of as Danny Zuko grown up. Mamet never once corrected my interpretation. Not a single note for me. However he gave Kevin Spacey who was playing the part of Dave Moss, all kinds of notes. He didn't like his gait, he didn't like the way he said, "fandango". One time, Spacey got real mad and said that moving downstage at a certain moment to pick up a file was 'dumb and unmotivated'. Mamet lost it. He said he didn't care what an actor was thinking or feeling when he picked up a prop or gave a speech. We just had to learn the lines and say them in order and make sure our flies were up unless we were in a production of Hair.

He had a point.

Till the Clouds Roll By,

Barry Bostwick

Sea Change

Dear Mr Trivia,

I hope you won't be offended but I think my problem might be more effectively handled by Mr Bostwick.

Mr Bostwick, I have been a dentist for 20 years and although I have considered throwing in the towel many times, I have always continued in this awful, awful job. Last year there was even a moment when I considered burning my dental surgery to the ground so I could collect the insurance money!

However, recently I have joined a local community theater and I have really enjoyed playing bit parts in STREETCAR, OUR TOWN, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES et al. Recently our director, Bernard, has offered me the role of Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck — The leader of the Rhythm of Life Church in SWEET CHARITY.

My question is this? Should I hold out for a major role like Oscar Lindquist?

Regards,

Lane Twipper
(Not My Real Name)
NEWPORT



Dearest Lane,

Make no mistake, Oscar Linquist is an utter pill! The man is a cube - ie six times worse than a square!! It's really an awful scoldy, sad, emasculated nothing of a role.

Since you are rising in the ranks there is no need to get too greedy too quickly. In the 1986 Broadway production of SWEET CHARITY (Debbie Allen was a smash!) I took on the role of Big Daddy even though I was clearly over-qualified. Other than If They Could See Me Now, the song Rhythm of Life is the unqualified hit of the show. You won't have much time on stage, friend, but what there is will be 100% sizzle!

Carpe Diem, Lane!

Barry Bostwick

The Next Level

Dear Mr Trivia,

I met Jeff (not his real name) in high school last year. But we really got to know each other better when he started coming to my church. After six months or so of being on the same committees and organizing events together, we started seeing each other out of church and school.

We really ‘clicked’. Jeff is an amazing guy and is really mature for his age (18).

He is now working in photocopy repair and I have a job at the local library - life seems to better than I could have ever believed possible. The thing is, we can see ourselves marrying and having a family together. We talk about it all the time. But I am concerned. Because of the way we were raised, we still haven’t done all the things that a lot of other couples of our age might have done by this time.

Jeff is okay with this. And I mostly am as well, but sometimes I wonder if it wouldn’t be better if we “took our relationship to the next level” if you know what I mean?

Concerned,
Tinkersville
Philadelphia



Dear Concerned,

You are both so young. Having a joint account is a huge step in the life of a couple. Can Jeff handle money well? Can you? What are your budgeting skills like? Would you consider Jeff a spendthrift or a miser – because neither is good in a relationship. Do you find yourselves continually borrowing money?

These are questions you must sit down and ask of yourselves in an atmosphere of complete honesty.

The chief factors affecting relationships the world over are money and sex. Thankfully this time your problem is financial rather than sexual.

Regards,

Mr Trivia