Set in a non-descript meeting room at an investment bank, FX trader James and HR representative Sarah engage in a cat-and-mouse game in What’s The Trade?, currently showing at the White Bear Theatre in Kennington.
Written by Charlie Howard, and directed by Esalan Gates, this sharp two-hander is full of unreliable narration and uneasy exchanges, back by the digital clocks of all the big markets.
A junior employee, Scarlett, bright and ambitious, has resigned from the company. It’s possible that James had something to do with it; Sarah is investigating.
As a toxic culture of wining, dining, misogyny and one upmanship emerges, What’s The Trade explores what happens underneath the facade of bravado and power.
The contrast between the explosive anger of James and the measured formality of Sarah shifts to something more akin to comradeship – or is it competition?
James (played by writer Howard) represents the young, money-motivated alpha male; Sarah (Maire McGovern) is the aspiring professional seeking to shake up the system.
Set deep in the corporate world with long hours, false friendships, and worth tied to a bonus number, What’s The Trade is tense, terse, and tight. The script is economical, full of plot twists and pointed remarks.
Although this play may raise lots of questions about behaviour on both sides of the table, it also feels off (but dramatically right) that both parties attend this meeting alone, with no back-up.
Ultimately, What’s The Trade? feels like the starting point for lots of conversations about hierarchy, control, duplicity, ‘the old boy network’, new ways of dating, and old school attitudes.
It’s a play that pushes against big money dynamics and perceptions, but stops short of really shaking them up. Gates allows some subtle technical tricks to suggest changes in the meeting dynamic.
A dual ending didn’t quite gel for me; the twist in the tale felt a little unnecessary and uncomfortable. Although neither of these people are easy to empathise with, I feel it may be the wrong choice to close the play as it did.
I’m giving this one 4 stars. It left me feeling engaged but a little frustrated, and I’m still processing those feelings the morning after.
What’s The Trade? continues until 20 Dec with tickets here (£15).
Images: Openside