Last Friday we went to see the latest production from the Sheffield University Theatre Company at the University Drama Studio on Glossop Road. Most students have only been back for a week, however this group of students have dedicated the last three weeks to rehearsing and performing Ben Elton’s satirical play Gasping. It was certainly no easy task with a very wordy script which demanded a fast pace and clear diction.
L-R: Stage manager David Lawrence, director Richard Horwitz and producer Martin Bailey
Gasping is set in the huge corporation of Lockheart Industries in the 1980s. Having decided that he was not quite rich enough, the Chief calls a meeting with two of his top employees Philip and Sandy, telling them that they have to come up with a new idea, a new product which will make them vast sums of money. He demands that they think of the new "Pot Noodle", in other words that they have to make money where there was no money being spent previously.
After months of contemplation, sleepless nights and even frantic squash sessions, wonder boy Philip finally delivers the goods. His plan is to create designer air with a special machine, called ‘The Suck-and-Blow Machine’, which extracts the oxygen from the air and blows it out on demand.
With slogans like “Other people’s air – it gets right up your nose” the Suck and Blow machine is destined for success with the help of feisty advertising guru Kirsten. However greed makes them push even harder, forcing an increase in the price of air until the oxygen industry becomes privatised. Before long citizens have to pay in order to be able to breathe – and if you can’t afford to pay you have no right to live.
This is a great satire on consumerism and a society that has become so greedy and obsessed with labels that it would even pay for supposedly “pure” air.
The male characters were all played very well, and I was impressed by the slickness and pace of the action, although at times some words were swallowed. The script is so wordy and so full of ridiculous similes and metaphors that I’m sure it was a nightmare to learn, particularly in such a short time frame.
Matthew Stevens managed it particularly well with his hilarious portrayal of Philip, but there was great physical comedy from all characters. I especially enjoyed Sandy’s scene with the phone calls. Played by Dom Gee-Burch, Sandy ended up juggling 5 or 6 mobile phones, maintaining the mindless conversations without dropping a single one. The squash playing, the scenes in the sauna with the Chief, and Philip’s tragic holiday in what I think was supposed to be Mexico, were also highlights.
Rachel Roberts gave a good performance as Kirsten, however I did feel that she could have gone further with flaunting herself and pushing the sexual innuendos. Georgia Grace was amusing in a variety of roles, but didn’t seem to change her voice or mannerisms between playing the weather girl, the journalist and the MP. I think each role should have been acted more distinctly.
Jono Wells was convincing as the Chief, oozing confidence and charm. Although he had characteristics of a stereotypical corporate boss, he was also very funny, a clear parody.
All in all it was a great production, highly enjoyable and for the most part slick and fast paced. I laughed out loud in many places, and thought that the whole concept of designer air was brilliant, an ingenious satire from Ben Elton.
After the performance I spoke to director Richard Horwitz and producer Martin Bailey and asked them a few questions about the production. Listen to the interview here:-
LISTEN TO EMMA WASS' FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER OF GASPING HERE.
By Emma Wass
