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Fault Lines
A razor-sharp new comedy that exposes the dilemmas of working in charity today and asks whether doing good is always the same as being good.
7:32am. Christmas Eve. Disasters Relief’s staff parties are legendary – but their aftermath cataclysmic. Nick and Abi wake amidst the carnage to breaking a massive earthquake has struck Pakistan. Gathering their clothes – and dignity – the race with rivals Oxfam begins. Who can be the first to dispatch branded aid in full view of the world media? And how far are they willing to go? With the appalling spectre of last night’s antics hanging over everything, the day rapidly spirals into a dizzying web of secrets and lies.
Fault Lines premiered at the Hampstead Theatre, London in December 2013.
Ali Taylor is a playwright whose work has been staged by Polka Theatre, Soho Theatre, Hampstead Theatre and Theatre503, amongst others. His play Cotton Wool was the winner of the Meyer-Whitworth Award. He is Artistic Director of Buckle for Dust theatre company.
7:32am. Christmas Eve. Disasters Relief’s staff parties are legendary – but their aftermath cataclysmic. Nick and Abi wake amidst the carnage to breaking a massive earthquake has struck Pakistan. Gathering their clothes – and dignity – the race with rivals Oxfam begins. Who can be the first to dispatch branded aid in full view of the world media? And how far are they willing to go? With the appalling spectre of last night’s antics hanging over everything, the day rapidly spirals into a dizzying web of secrets and lies.
Fault Lines premiered at the Hampstead Theatre, London in December 2013.
Ali Taylor is a playwright whose work has been staged by Polka Theatre, Soho Theatre, Hampstead Theatre and Theatre503, amongst others. His play Cotton Wool was the winner of the Meyer-Whitworth Award. He is Artistic Director of Buckle for Dust theatre company.
112 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 18, 2020
This black comedy about the motivation of charity workers premiered in 2013, before the major scandals came to light about individuals in some leading charities using their positions to exploit vulnerable people. The tone is far lighter than those dark revelations would warrant. The play is as much a dig at hierarchical office culture and the flimsy staffing of small organisations as it is an exposé about charities per se.
Ali Taylor's four-hander is engaging and well-paced, the play simply structured in two acts. Amid a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, the staff of Disasters Relief scramble to be seen to provide the first branded tents to people displaced by an earthquake in Pakistan.
The characters are entertaining and strongly drawn recognisable types. However, they are trapped in the endless loop of their limited personalities and speech patterns, such as you might expect from a television sit-com. From Pat, the humourless boss, to Ryan, the unpaid intern on whose shoulders more and more responsibility is heaped, there is a short chain of command. Although nominally responsible for their own areas, Abi (Campaigns) and Nick (Marketing) compete to source supplies. Amusingly, but less plausibly, they also attempt to negotiate the implications of their drunken coupling after the previous night's office party.
Ali Taylor's four-hander is engaging and well-paced, the play simply structured in two acts. Amid a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, the staff of Disasters Relief scramble to be seen to provide the first branded tents to people displaced by an earthquake in Pakistan.
The characters are entertaining and strongly drawn recognisable types. However, they are trapped in the endless loop of their limited personalities and speech patterns, such as you might expect from a television sit-com. From Pat, the humourless boss, to Ryan, the unpaid intern on whose shoulders more and more responsibility is heaped, there is a short chain of command. Although nominally responsible for their own areas, Abi (Campaigns) and Nick (Marketing) compete to source supplies. Amusingly, but less plausibly, they also attempt to negotiate the implications of their drunken coupling after the previous night's office party.
December 4, 2021
Very funny 4 hander play about working in the charity sector. A satisfying beginning, middle and end. It is great at making you change allegiances throughout the play and question who is trying to do what is right. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews