[Theatre and Physical Drama/Drama, UK]
The Ballroom, Ayers House, Fri 8 Mar, 2024

From the moment Tim Marriott steps on stage and peers awkwardly at his laptop you know you’re in good hands. There’s something about good actors that immediately declares their talent and poise. Tim Marriott, also the show’s writer, knows this show inside out and it shows – in all the right ways. So completely natural it feels unrehearsed. Just another corporate boss going through the motions of another obligatory yearly review charade.

But Nicky sees it differently and her review becomes a power struggle; a test that shows the company’s true worth aside from the bottom the line. While she enjoys her job and does it very well, she sees things about the company at large that could be changed to improve overall performance. But that might threaten the status quo.  Jo, Nicky’s boss, is not interested in that. He peddles the same platitudes that we all just know he trots out regularly – we must all be on the same page; protect the brand, act like a community etc etc.

Jo’s charming, smarmy, weasel ways are a joy to watch, especially when Nicky backs him into a corner and he knows there is only one way out – he has to pull rank; exercise his power. The charmer turns nasty and the whole charade is exposed. Sadly, so much of this nonsense is the reality in modern workplaces – slogans, acronyms, fuzzy mission statements, unrealistic strategic plans – whatever they are – are all part of the ‘smoke and mirrors’ designed to make everything seem OK, that targets are being met, that staff are happy.

Assumptions by the boss about appropriate behaviours are also challenged – seemingly harmless but offensive jokes, touching female employees in feigned affection, pretending to listen before coming to a predetermined outcome.

But happily Nicky has an ace up her sleeve and gets some justice in the end. Nicky is beautifully played by local actor Stephanie Rossi. She brings just the right amount of respect, assertiveness, frustration, and righteous anger in response to her boss’s ironic pleas for transparency.

A great piece of theatre. Initially quite funny till things get unpleasant. But it is sadly true of much of the obfuscation that masquerades as communication in the workplace. The really sad thing is that those use this lingo aren’t even aware of its meaningless emptiness.

But at least they’re all on the same page!