Theatre News

Theatre503 Debuts Play About Management Consultants

Amid ongoing protests over coalition spending cuts, Battersea’s Theatre503 is premiering a new play which explores the “usefulness and value” of management consultants.

The Consultant, written by former journalist Neil Fleming, is billed as a “Faustian tale for the age of austerity” and runs from 25 March to 16 April 2011 (previews from 23 March).

Hugo Shackleton is a man in trouble, and the trouble is: he doesn’t even know it. Chief executive of a struggling company, hounded by competitors, despised by his own board, Hugo needs a big idea to turn his business around. But saving his business could cost his marriage.

Into his world rolls James Ross, a charismatic management consultant with a dark past. Wheelchair-bound, furious with all mankind, and brilliant at everything, James promises Hugo he can change him forever. But once you sign up with The Consultant, he never leaves.

The Consultant, which is co-produced by theatre company Hydrocracker, is directed by Geoff Church (who founded Hydrocracker with Fleming) and designed by Agnes Treplin. The cast includes Pip Donaghy, Sian Webber and Helen Millar.