When you go to see anything after it has been lauded, applauded and awarded, often the production will not live up to the viewer’s expectations. This is not the case with ENRON, written by Lucy Prebble (her second play) and directed by Rupert Goold.
This pair is a dream team, able to clarify complicated issues and concepts through a brilliantly clear script, energetic acting, singing and movement, not to mention some neat effects.
ENRON does what it says on the tin – telling the mind-blowing tale of the rise and fall of the American energy company, which fooled the stock markets in a spectacular con that marked the start of the credit crunch and world recession. Many ideas come to mind: Hitler’s ‘If you’re going to tell a lie, tell a big one,’ the other is the theme of a heroic descent – take any of Shakespeare’s tragic figures and you have ENRON.
Sara Stewart as Claudia shone, but this was an ensemble piece of exceptional standard.
The play is about to go on tour so if you can catch it, do so.
It’s an eye-opening, of course, for drama students, but go all cross-curricular and take your politics, economics, citizenship students too.
The tour starts at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
Review by
Lesley Finlay