Thiago (Oscar Fabela), who works at PR agency Providence, is suspicious about why he’s been brought in by his boss, Liam (Zachary Storey), to crisis-manage the reputation of a high-profile chef accused of misconduct. Is it because of the attraction he sees between them? Is Liam using Thiago to advance his career? And how – as we discover at the start of Alex Garcia-Lauer’s play – will this all result in Thiago bringing a harassment claim against Liam?
At this play’s heart is a fascinating conversation around the power imbalances and grey areas of workplace relationships. It delves into many facets of western corporate culture, from the impact of racial bias on Thiago’s career, to conceptual questions about subjectivity and perception that link his deteriorating situation with Liam to their debates about their client’s behaviour.
Unfortunately, while director Leticia Mora keeps the production fluid, the script is stilted and the dialogue lands awkwardly. While Fabela brings a welcome sardonic spikiness to Thiago, Storey struggles to make Liam, as written, into more than a first draft of talking points about white male insecurity. Kristen Tarragó brings an intriguingly inscrutable quality to Providence’s HR rep. It’s here that we glimpse the slippery ambiguity this play really needs.
The Alchemy of Sadness, theSpace @ Niddry St, until 23 Aug, 11.10am