Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond
Assembly George Square Studios – Studio Two
Timothy Marriott’s self-penned play is a masterclass in gaslighting and a masterpiece of manipulation.Summary
Rating
Excellent
“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors”. Plato’s quote is one of many ill-timed set phrases parroted by Jo the manipulative manager, in this intelligent two-hander examining abusive control at work.
Jo is played by Timothy Marriott with such convincing, astonishing detail he made my blood boil on more than one occasion. Marriott, who is also the author and director of this masterclass in gaslighting, shares the stage with the wonderful Angela Bull. She confidently embodies Nicky, a head of department who is in Jo’s office for her annual performance review.
We first find Jo alone in the room, playing (in true managerial style) with a golf club. A knock on the door interrupts his practice session as Nicky joins him by his desk. She immediately comes across as a no-nonsense, highly efficient professional, even if lacking the emotional intelligence to ‘connect with her team’, as they like to say in corporate-speak. In truth, she’s wary of the office powerplays and steers clear of politics. All she wants is to “get the job done”.
Unfortunately, this leaves her exposed as less competent colleagues take positions of responsibility not because they do a better job, but because they know best how to butter up the boss. Jo himself is far less capable than his top managerial role would suggest. His sly attitude and patronising corporate jargon are in equal measure ridiculous and infuriating, played beautifully by Marriott.
Nicky’s attempt to overpower him during the ensuing verbal struggle keeps us glued to the chair. It’s a wordy script, with limited pauses, which both actors succeed in fleshing out through body language and shifts in tone. The inevitably static staging is only a minor hindrance in a fine-tuned piece of contemporary theatre.
Fresh from quitting a job in a large company myself, this play feels uncomfortably realistic; from the toxic as well as incompetent colleagues to the dysfunctional management structure. It perceptively offers proof that some patterns are a lot more common than we’d hope to see.
Written and Directed by: Timothy Marriott
Produced by: Mountain Hare Productions
Appraisal plays until 28 August, 11:35am daily at Assembly George Square Studios. Further information and bookings here.
