At Rupert Goold's Almeida, an exciting alternative to the National Theatre, along with director Sacha Wares, Bartlett envisages where the public's taste for reality will take us.
Diana Atuona hasn't shied away from a difficult subject for a first play and her grasp of dialogue is excellent, as is the writing of this story that won't let go. The play takes place in the first Liberian Civil War, 1989 to 1996. We take up the story of 14 year old Martha (a magnificent first time performance from Juma Sharkah) who is about to be sent by her grandmother to the bush school where she will become a woman.
This black comedy exploits the most vicious company culture of corporate condoned bullying. The night I saw it there was no cheering or booing from the audience, just sharp intakes of shocked breath at some of the cruelest comments and laughter from others.