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Preview by Paul Nelson
BILL Kenwright presents Adam Rickitt, Charlie Brooks, Richard
O'Callaghan, Mel Raido, Adam Croasdell and Robin Browne in a new
comedy, Office Games, by Trevor Baxter, a witty and intelligent
political commentary about how the civil service backs up political
peace negotiations. Office Games plays at the Pleasance
Theatre from Wednesday, April 23 to Sunday, May 25.
Against the backdrop of peace negotiations after the Great War,
Trevor Baxter takes us behind the scenes at the Foreign Office.
Overseen by the imperious Charles Raven, the men in his office
engage in office games of petty one-upmanship and bullying, mostly
at the expense of their meek and fervently religious colleague
Wilkes.
This simmering boredom is alleviated when Raven is carpeted over
a missing 0 in an important cabinet briefing. When blame for this
unforgivable error is shifted to the typist Rose Browne, she attempts
to keep her job using the only methods she feels are available
to her. Blackmail, adultery and suspected espionage ensue and
the innocent horseplay that makes up all their office lives threatens
to turn very nasty.
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Office Games evokes a time when honour and loyalty to
one's country were paramount, class distinctions were embedded
in the national psyche... and it was career suicide to get involved
with a girl from the typing pool!
Trevor Baxter has credits as an actor in film, television and
theatre. As a playwright, he has had work produced in the West
End, Theatre Royal Windsor, Warehouse Theatre, Croydon and the
Kings Head, Islington.
Office Games will star Adam Rickitt (pictured),
best known for playing Nicky Tilsley in Coronation Street
and his leading role in Rent in the West End; Charlie Brooks,
who plays the scheming Janine in Eastenders and who will
be making her West End debut; Richard O'Callaghan, who has worked
extensively at the National Theatre, the RSC and in the West End,
and Mel Raido who played Jesus in the sell-out controversial hit
Corpus Christi at the Pleasance Theatre. Office Games
is directed by Guy Retallack, designed by Christopher Richardson
and lighting by Douglas Kuhrt.
Office Games by Trevor Baxter, Directed by Guy Retallack,
Design by Christopher Richardson, Lighting by Douglas Kuhrt. WITH:
Adam Rickitt, Charlie Brooks, Richard O¹Callaghan, Mel Raido,
Adam Croasdell, Robin Browne, Produced by Bill Kenwright at The
Pleasance Theatre. Tickets: 020 76091800 Tickets: 020 7609 1800
www.pleasance.co.uk
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