Londoners can go to an extra Christmas bash this year as site-specific, interactive show Office Party comes to Islington in the autumn.
Created by cabaret star Ursula Martinez and Radio 4 comedian Christopher Green, Office Party is set in the function rooms of a sad and tawdry office block where a group of colleagues are preparing for the annual shindig. The managing director is running through the gags for his speech while having a few too many drinks, and the marketing department are in a huddle by the bar.
As the night unfolds, the audience is invited to become the employees of this fictitious company, becoming complicit in the goings-on at this slightly shambolic, riotous annual party.
Martinez is a cabaret writer and performer who has appeared in hit London shows La Clique and La Soirée as well as her magic striptease act Hanky Panky. Her autobiographical shows include A Family Outing and My Stories, Your Emails, which played at the Barbican last year.
Green is best known for his work on Radio 4 as characters including country singer Tina C and rapping pensioner Ida Barr. He previously collaborated with Martinez on the Olivier Award-winning C’est Barbican for experimental performance group Duckie, of which they are both Artistic Associates.
Office Party was co-written and originally directed by Cal McCrystal, the Associate Director of the National Theatre’s current hit show One Man, Two Guvnors.
Office Party will be held in the head office of Product Solutions, next to the Pleasance theatre in Islington, from 3 October to 21 January (press night 13 October).
CB