Jobsworth at Park Theatre Review
Written by Becky K for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Prentice Productions, in association with Park Theatre, presents Jobsworth, a zany one-woman show about the chaotic life of Bea as she navigates her three full-time jobs. Written by Isley Lynn and Libby Rodliffe, Jobsworth is a bold and energetic performance that builds in intensity.
Bea (played by Rodliffe) is scraping to make ends meet despite secretly holding down three full-time roles. Every second of her day is filled with juggling the maintenance of luxury flats, acting as a CEO’s PA, and dog-sitting, all while trying to stay under the radar so none of her employers discover she’s breaking her contracts. When she uncovers a secret between two of her bosses, Bea must pull out all the stops to keep her job as the risk of losing control of her life grows.
The humour of Bea’s chaotic routine is well directed by Nicky Allpress. Rodliffe begins her very first scene dressed professionally for the office, yet suddenly remembers at the reception desk that she has a Zoom call for another job. She dutifully ties her hair into a messy bun to look as though she’s working from home. This is a great introduction to the play’s narrative, setting the tone for how Bea humorously balances her life.
Rodliffe is an engaging storyteller who navigates the fast-paced script impressively. She constantly multi-roles, using different voices, accents, and mannerisms to convincingly portray the many characters in Bea’s life. At first, the sheer number of persona shifts makes it a little confusing to place who Bea is interacting with, something that might be improved with clearer contextual introductions for each of her jobs. However, as the story progresses, the characters become more familiar, and Rodliffe does a very good job of maintaining clear distinctions between them.
The simple yet effective set, designed by Matthew Cassar, places the audience in a minimalist corporate environment. A clinical white floor, desk, and hanging light fixtures create the essence of a sleek reception area, subtly hinting at the calibre of clientele Bea is running around after. This is paired with strong lighting design by Oliver McNally, who uses the hanging white lanterns to shift colours and create different settings like an office or a nightclub, as well as to reflect Bea’s deteriorating control over her life.
Performing at Park Theatre until 6 December, Jobsworth is a well-performed exploration of the harsh realities of debt, presented in a chaotically fun manner. While the overall performance drags ever so slightly, it shines an important light on the brutality of large-scale organisations and their disregard for personal and financial circumstances.
★ ★ ★
