Patrick Marber's play takes a hip, darkly funny view of the transitory nature of love in London in the 1990s. Obituary writer and would-be novelist Daniel (Ko Zushi) rushes to assist a mysterious, flirtatious, accident-prone young woman named Alice (Meagann Pallares) who's been knocked down by a London taxi. It soon emerges that she's a professional stripper — and, intrigued, he invites her to move in with him. Sometime later, he meets photographer Anna (Jennifer Bronstein) and he's suddenly smitten with her, abandoning Alice. He also perpetrates an Internet prank involving Anna and dermatologist Larry (David Wisehart), but his joke backfires when Larry and Anna meet and fall in love. The play then becomes a cynical dance in which each of the four characters becomes locked in a triangular relationship with all three of the others, ending in multiple infidelities, betrayals, revenge and death. Director Monte Van Vleet has mounted a modest but well-acted production, excellent in the earlier comedy scenes, less successful as the mood darkens. Wisehart etches a formidable portrait of the randy, ultimately brutally vindictive doctor, and Pallares skillfully captures the shifting moods of the passionate, enigmatic Alice. Designer Hugh Fitch provides the simple, minimalist set. Ghost Players at the Avery Schreiber Theatre, 11050 Magnolia Blvd., N. Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; through March 17. (310) 709-3008, theghostplayers.net.

Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. Starts: Feb. 17. Continues through March 17, 2012

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