Synopsis
As in many of Williamson’s recent social drama/comedies, the culture of the narcissist and bully boy is firmly in evidence, except this time it’s a warrior woman causing tension and friction.
Flinty and poised, Bryony is the chief executive of an organisation called Enabling and Caring, which aims to help the intellectually and physically impaired. But Bryony’s self-aggrandising vision and fund-raising ploys take a terrible toll. It’s typically a case of the new guard riding roughshod over the old as the diligent and devoted are made to look recalcitrant and complacent.
The board has called for mediation because the relationship between staff members has become untenable. The employees at E &C are all fighting for their jobs which creates an interesting powder keg of emotions as friend and colleagues are sometimes thrown under the bus. Which creates an amusing situation for the audience to watch, but for the characters it very serious.
From the moment they enter the workplace conference to resolve ructions enveloping their charity organisation, it’s easy to spot the good, the bad and the in-between.
As the convener, Jack Manning takes firm yet unobtrusive control of proceedings; the unadorned meeting room becomes a boxing ring of sorts. Allegiance is sworn, defences are up, tactics turn nasty, tempers flare and tears are shed.
