DORSET - It isn't often that a small town like Dorset gets to be part of an event such as the world premiere of "The Whore and Mr. Moore."

Written by the diversely talented Michael Cristofer, and cast with seasoned and skilled actors, the credentials of this show cannot go without note. You may have heard that Judd Hirsh is playing the lead character, Mr. Moore. And, yes, all the hullabaloo was worth it. Hirsh has a presence on the stage that makes the audience forget they are even in the theatre.

His ability as a storyteller is truly extraordinary and this production is an exciting moment in time for The Dorset Theatre Festival. The play follows the creative process of Mr. Moore, a surly playwright, who needs to find solace and shelter in order to create his final work.

Local realtor, Figgy (Betsy Aidem), who is timid and awkward, shows him a property with a slight caveat - the haunting of Mary Margaret (Janet Zarish), who has successfully scared off every man from the premises. As Mr. Moore finds himself on a romantic tangent, longing for a beautiful ghost to become his muse, Figgy finds herself a minor character in his 'play.'

You see, Moore sees his life as a play, through the lens of the theatre, and he gathers inspiration and procrastination from every sunset, rumble of thunder, and ghost story he encounters.

An unlikely inspiration, in her living days, Maggie kept her home as a brothel, welcoming in stray girls and sailors. Her brashness is

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quite the match for Mr. Moore, and together they come to some terms and arrangements to live together. She is not the ghost he had in mind, but they eventually become close, working in tandem to tell a story - her story.

As a triangle emerges among the characters, and the lines of the plot and true meaning of the work become blurred.

Moore has himself convinced that he is in control of both women, willing them to do as he wishes, just as the playwright puts pen to paper. His approach to each is egocentric, and though he may be the lead character, the play is most certainly not just about him.

The two women, played skillfully by Aidem and Zarish have a duality and each one compliments the other. They are literally the virgin and the whore. They need each other, Moore needs them both, and this classic opposition gives him the fire and support to finish what he started.

In a strange and subtle way, this comedy is very poignant, alluding to major themes of life such as love, loneliness, hope and desperation. There are moments of biting truth and heartbreakingly honest discoveries, but it also does not take itself too seriously. These themes are just touched on, giving a depth to balance the frivolity, vulgarity, and self-indulgence otherwise present.

The reactions from the audience were certainly mixed - both at intermission and at the end, but nothing stopped the prompt standing ovation. The play is new, unexpected in content and format, and is rather a buffet when it comes to genre. Flowing from comedy to suspense, farce to drama, and from romance to the absurd, this is a play for theatre-lovers.

There are little 'inside jokes' that contribute to the audience feeling invited to partake in the journey of Moore's play.

This limited production of "The Whore and Mr. Moore" has productions through Aug. 11, and more information can be found at www.dorsettheatrefestival.org, or by calling the box office at 802-867-2223.