Big Boys;

Erik Abbott’s character Victor: a cross between Ricky Gevais’ David Brent and a modern-day Leonard Rossiter’s Reginald Perrin

On Wednesday evening, Actors Rep put on a private performance of Big Boys at Arendt House in Luxembourg-Kirchberg, in advance of three successive evening performances, open to the public.

The corporate setting was ideal for this satire on corporate culture, an antithesis of business ethics and corporate morals, penned by Rick Orloff, a hugely entertaining drama featuring Erik Abbott as Victor Burlington, the boss, who hires Norman Waterberry, a new recruit.

Both characters are at different ends of the personality spectrum, with Victor the brash, amoral and bullying boss whose lines are both hugely comical and frequently totally inappropriate, laced with both indirect and direct references to sex and religion, subjects that bosses should not force on any employee. Meanwhile, Norman - or Gustave, as Victor likes to call him - is very willing and eager but is totally intimidated by Victor.

As the scenes pass, Norman/Gustave builds in confidence and starts to stand up to Victor; yet, Victor continues to manipulate him at will.

Act two sees Norman gradually morphing into a younger version of Victor, with their relationship becoming both closer and more strained in equal measure. The evolution continues as Norman is corrupted into working together with, and negotiating on behalf of, Victor.

Directed by Christine Probst, Big Boys is strong on dialogue and even stronger on its satire on corporate culture, with both actors strong on their comic timing; Erik Abbott makes his character Victor into a cross between Ricky Gevais’ David Brent and a modern-day Leonard Rossiter’s Reginald Perrin.

“Big Boys” could also have been titled “How to be a Complete and Utter Corporate *ssh*le”...

The auditorium in Arendt House seats around 150 people. Some tickets are still available - €20 for adults and €10 for students; Tel: 356339 or email: ActorsRep.tickets@gmail.com