7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Barmy, chaotic comedy tackles the world of corporate philanthropy
'The Lunch Punch Power Hour in Conference Room 4' on the Peacock Stage, Abbey Theatre is clever and bamboozling but perhaps too unruly to fully take a deep dive into the serious themes it explores
The Irish business world is having a moment on the Dublin stage, with this absurdist frolic into corporate shenanigans following on from Sugarglass's production of Molière at Smock Alley. Caitríona Daly's new play has a lot going for it, but it only really gets into its stride towards the end.
The play follows two senior colleagues and a roped-in recent hire having a meeting to determine what a social responsibility budget surplus should be spent on. Executive assistant Clodagh (Caoimhe O'Malley) wants it spent on saving the bees. Working-from-home executive Daniel (Fionn Foley) wants it spent on his daughter's Offaly GAA club. Jess, the recently hired receptionist (Emma Dargan-Reid), is mainly trying to find her feet and not get fired. And Susan (Helen Norton), the HR head, is hovering outside the room, trying to gain access through the locked door.
