No, it’s not about Elon Musk (and there are definitely many questions on his alleged brilliance). Brilliant Jerks doesn’t deal with the lone founder genius however as an alternative seems at three distinct tales inside a know-how disruptor; the founder, a programmer and a driver. The firm isn’t known as Uber however it’s actually Uber… Despite the premise, the story will not be about know-how, and whereas there are small references to coding and APIs that those that get will get, the subject is human nature; discovering a spot and an id on the earth. Each of the characters is sensible, and every…
Rating
Good
Dry and deadpan laughs, supercharged by a beautiful forged.
No, it’s not about Elon Musk (and there are definitely many questions on his alleged brilliance). Brilliant Jerks doesn’t deal with the lone founder genius however as an alternative seems at three distinct tales inside a know-how disruptor; the founder, a programmer and a driver. The firm isn’t known as Uber however it’s actually Uber…
Despite the premise, the story will not be about know-how, and whereas there are small references to coding and APIs that those that get will get, the subject is human nature; discovering a spot and an id on the earth. Each of the characters is sensible, and every is a jerk, however for essentially the most half a jerk that we will perceive and relate to, even just a bit. The pacing is quick and director Katie-Ann McDonough retains every little thing going with the pace of a disruptive know-how startup.
Mia (Kiran Sonia Sawar) is a driver choosing up fares in Glasgow, listening to the tales, the late-night drunkenness and the sadly inevitable come-ons to a feminine driver. Sean (Sean Delaney) is a coder who didn’t apply for a place with the corporate however in some way ended up there anyhow. He’s good at this job however extra importantly, he suits into the laddish ‘bro’ tradition and so on the subject of promotions and cash, he leapfrogs over Amy (additionally Sawar). Sean admits Amy is healthier at her job however he’s nonetheless good at his so deserves the additional perks – proper? He goes alongside to get alongside, unaware of simply how a lot part of the issue he has develop into. Tyler (Shubham Saraf) is the corporate founder, whose Uberesque thought struck him late one night time in Paris as he tried to hail a taxi. Dealing with the success, then progress and growth, leads him to extra challenges.
All of the forged step into a number of roles, enjoying elements in every character’s story, and so they do that with aplomb. Notably robust work with accents and physique language from all three alongside sympathetic lighting (Rachel Sampley) let the viewers simply sustain with every change of character, whereas the sound from Annie May Fletcher strikes us from automobile to nightclub to workplace with ease. Hazel Low’s set is a straightforward round desk within the form of the corporate’s brand (having greater than a passing familiarity with Uber’s brand). With three stools, this works as a automobile, as workplace house and for the forged to stroll and discuss on to the viewers.
Joseph Charlton’s script strikes alongside at tempo and is filled with fantastic turns of phrase, displaying an actual talent for satire and comedy. All three of the forged’s supply is powerful, however the deadpan from Saraf all through is great, with a specific spotlight being when Tyler feels he has to call the river that Paris is constructed on. There is a whole lot of comedy from begin to end, with a number of laughs that develop as strains, sinking into the viewers, and the forged is great at judging an additional pause to permit these ripples of laughter to complete.
The comedy does overshadow slightly, leaving a sense that maybe we’ve seen this story earlier than and that maybe Brilliant Jerks doesn’t have a lot new to say. It does nevertheless deliver a whole lot of laughs and makes for a massively entertaining night time out in London, with the Tube, mainline trains and all of the buses you could possibly need – no must whip out your telephone and order a taxi to get house.
Written by Joseph Charlton
Directed by Katie-Ann McDonough
Set and Costume Design by Hazel Low
Sound Design by Annie May Fletcher
Lighting Design by Rachel Sampley
Brilliant Jerks performs at Southwark Playhouse till 25 March. Further data and tickets will be discovered right here.