|
When the topics of business and morality
are taken up in the same context,
responses tend to sway to a cynical tone. People's
general opinion of business and greed is that they stereotypically
go hand
in hand. Ben Elton took this generalization and produced a script
for a
satirical theatrical performance on the very concept: corporate greed
and
those who go along with the notion. "Gasping" shows the
cutthroat and
selfish side of corporate business complemented by the yuppie lifestyle,
in
perfect satirical form.
Sir Chiffley Lockheart owns Lockheart Holdings,
a London firm that thrives
on the business of making massive amounts of money. Phillip and Sandy
are
top associates of his, who find themselves in a pressing discussion
on the
development of an "exciting" new product that will make
money in a market
that does not presently exist. After extensive research, Phillip comes
up
with a way to improve air, and at the same time implements a vision
in
Lockheart's head of such success, that he is given a promotion.
Phillip and Sandy strike up a deal with Kirsten, the sassy advertising
wonder, and the product is on its way to success. "Suck and Blow,"
as the
product is called, becomes a hazard, for it's purpose is to suck all
the
natural air in and blow special filtered air out. The business team
falls
into some intra-related trouble and Phillip is sent on a leave of
absence.
Youssef El-Gingihy makes his debut as a
director with Burton Taylor
Theatre's production of "Gasping." The lighting and blocking
are essential
to this performance, for the script only allows four main characters.
El-Gingihy requires little onstage, suggesting the importance of the
script
rather than the props. The scene changes are swift and accompanied
by music,
which make the play seem more connected and smooth. Although the director
accounts for a substantial amount of the process of script to action,
the
character play an equal role in bringing Ben Elton's vision to the
stage.
The characters add the obvious satire into
the performance, on top of the
plot's exaggeration of corporate life. Nick Gill, who plays the role
of
Phillip, is presented as a go-getter schmoozer type who slicks his
hair back
and likes to speak quite rapidly. His appearance makes one think of
the
stereotyped car salesman, a man who attempts to dress to impress,
but falls
short and is always eager to "strike up a deal." Gill's
interpretation of
Phillip animated the character perfectly. He effectively sent the
message to
the audience as to the archetypal character that Phillip was posed
to
represent.
Sophie Hunter, who was cast as the role
of Kirsten, presented the perfect
independent-businesswoman-with-sex appeal-type that everyone just
loves to
hate. Her skillfully placed apparel made her character seem to know
how to
play the business game, and she did it quite well. Hunter's dramatic
interpretation of the character fit the satire theme brilliantly;
her sassy
intonation and movement made Kirsten one of the audience's favorite
characters.
"Gasping" is not a slapstick-type
humor performance that sends audience
members into fits of hysteria. Instead, the subtle references and
wittiness
of the script create more of a sarcastic atmosphere, allowing the
audience
to sit back and laugh at the obsession with money. Audiences will
find this
performance quite entertaining, as well as a catalyst to reflect on
the
importance of business ethics.
Rachael Liberman 20/11/01
|
