Theatre / Student Theatre
Bristol Spotlights take reality show-inspired play up to the Edinburgh Fringe
The University of Bristol’s Spotlights are a theatre group putting on entirely homegrown shows, not only written, but also directed, produced and acted by students.
In summer 2024, they are proudly taking their brand-new comedy play Boardroom up to the Edinburgh Fringe, led by an all-female production team: writer and director Cici Hughes, co-director Evie King, and producer Ava Borthwick.
Based in the murky world of reality TV in the 2000s, the story centres on the trio behind London-based Silky Productions, which runs on bravado, and the “pithy and provocative” ideas of tone-deaf producers, Carl, Terry and Michael (played by Leah Pollard, Calum Blackie and Theo Tomlinson).
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When fresh-faced newcomers Mary and Warren (Sam Bain and Jemima Hurst) enter the company with some starkly contrasting ideas to those of their ill-advised bosses, the boardroom status quo is set to be upturned.
Hughes’ writing explores generational and gender clashes in the workplace through a satirical lens, illuminating the voyeuristic and exploitative nature of noughties TV. When developing the story, she became preoccupied with the idea of what didn’t make it to screen in such a seemingly unfiltered era.
As well as previewing the play, the cast and crew have been fundraising hard to meet the costs of taking a show up to Edinburgh.
“Our cast are amazing,” says King. “They have been so versatile and adaptable. Cici’s writing is jam-packed, and I am so excited to take such a witty, characterful and fun play up to the Fringe for my first time.”
Boardroom is at Greenside’s George Street (Venue 236) on August 12-17 at 12.35pm. More information and tickets are available at www.boardroomedfringe.com.
All photos: Joe Pinner
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