Review: JOBSWORTH at Park Theatre

In a bid to help bail-out her parents who are sinking in debt, Bea has stretched herself to breaking point holding down multiple jobs. But with only so many hours in the day, some creative timekeeping is called for. Convincing her smarmy boss that he will get better value for money by allowing her to work from home, she undertakes a secondary concierge role at a luxury block of flats, from where she is still able to complete her PA duties via laptop. She is also flat-sitting and dog-minding for an irritatingly entitled influencer with a trust fund who has gone on a jaunt to South America.

As with all such plate-spinning situations, to be successful, it is necessary for everything to go to schedule. The moment something overruns, or an unexpected eventuality impacts timekeeping, the scheme begins to unravel and it is not long before Bea finds herself needing to be in two places at once and at odds with the expectations of others.

The beauty of the piece is not only the immediately relatable and recognisable characters, but the manner in which they are delivered by Ms Rodliffe who embodies each with confidence and elan as she deploys an array of distinct accents to her characters. As Bea’s frustrations and money anxieties increase, there is a very real emotional edge to her interactions with others who retain the confidence which is borne of having money and the sense of security and assuredness which it affords. Whilst JOBSWORTH is primarily a piece of playful and funny entertainment, there is also a very real urgency in the referencing of the high numbers of men and women who commit suicide as a result of their accumulation of debt from which they see no solution and seek to end their lives.

Matthew Cassar’s exceedingly effective set design of a white desk and chair beneath a circle of paper lamp shades which change colour as required, maintains an unfussy vigil over Ms Rodliffe who performs in a red suit with hair up in a knot or unravelled as she embarks on a doomed dinner date. The simplicity of set and costume means the audience have to focus their attention on what is being said, which in this instance is vital given the pace and variety of characters and information which is delivered over the 80 minutes running time. Thankfully it is well worth the effort.

Directed by Nicky Allpress, JOBSWORTH continues its run at Park Theatre until Saturday 6th December.