Enron - Noel Coward Theatre
Each year there is a show that surprises everyone by proving to be a
joy to watch and a success with audiences. In 2009 this show was
“Enron”, the new play from rising playwright Lucy Prebble, which
cemented its status as a must-see event by attracting a range of awards
and nominations and securing a West End transfer in 2010.
This West End transfer takes it to the Noel Coward Theatre where it
hopes to prove just as popular as it did on the stage of the Royal Court
Theatre last year. With tickets in high demand, it is likely to be a
monumental event.
Prebble was already an award winning playwright even before “Enron”
landed on the stage. An emerging talent, audiences and critics had their
eyes on her as soon as her short play “Liquid” landed her a PMA Award
for Most Promising Playwright. She then capitalised on her success with
her 2003 hit “The Sugar Syndrome”, which was showcased at the Royal
Court and won her a Critics’ Circle Award for the Most Promising
Playwright of the year. Whilst it would be many years before “Enron”
continues her line of success, audiences and critics were highly curious
as to her next effort.
Her 2009 hit picked up even more awards and nominations, with the 2009
Evening Standard Awards seeing it win a gong for Best Director in Rupert
Goold. It then went on to receive numerous nominations at the
Whatsonstage.com Awards, demonstrating that “Enron” did not disappoint.
The show, whilst relying on a range on a range of story-telling
techniques, also utilises a range of methods to prove its point. As a
result, audiences are treated to a mix of dance, video and music to
provide a memorable experience.
“Enron” looks at the infamous energy giant of the title and, in
particular, focuses on its time during the 1990s in which it sowed the
seeds of its destruction, leading to the collapse of the company of
2001. It was a major scandal at the time and proved to be a huge
embarrassment to the then-Bush administration in the United States. At a
time when many companies are going under as a result of the ongoing
financial crisis, it is particularly poignant and a show that is proving
to be compelling and captivating for audiences that witness it.
Amongst the cast is the actor Samuel West, who portrays Jeffrey Skilling
in the production. He appears alongside Tom Goodman-Hill as Andrew
Fastow and Amanda Drew as Claudia Roe. West has appeared in many
productions and in various movies, with credits that include “Van
Helsing”, “Iris” and the romantic comedy “Notting Hill”. For the stage
his experience is made up of productions for the Royal Shakespeare
Company and shows at the Donmar Warehouse such as “Betrayal” and “The
Family Reunion”, whilst he also appeared in “Anthony and Cleopatra” at
the National Theatre.
“Enron” is at the Noel Coward Theatre from Tuesday 26th January 2010
(previews from Saturday 16th January 2010) until Saturday 8th May 2010.