The latest production from Curtin Uni’s Theatre Arts and Hayman Theatre Company showcased how minimal budgets can foster creativity. Enron is based on the true story of the American corporation that embodied all the worst stereotypes of corporate culture between the 80s and noughties. There is a fine line between parody and satire, and it can be difficult to distinguish. American productions generally struggle to execute satire, often veering into parody because they feel the need to make it obvious that they’re mocking the subject matter. Australians, on the other hand, tend to excel at satire. We often embrace minimalism in our productions, allowing small details to make a significant impact. This production of the 2009 play, written by British playwright Lucy Prebble, made me realise something about satire in the context of Americans.
Enron presented by Curtin’s Theatre Arts and the Hayman Theatre Company.
Seeing these Australian actors play American characters made me realise that perhaps American culture is inherently prone to parody. Americans are hard to take seriously. The gaudiness and excess feel all too real. The relentless career ambition and emphasis on The Corporation didn’t seem like a caricature of American culture — it is American culture, especially during the era in which this play is set.
Progressing through the timeline, lurching forward into the next era, was an ensemble clad in drab office attire: the white shirt, black pants (poorly fitted, of course), and the tie. As we made our way through the two-hour production, the ensemble’s interval pieces became more unhinged, with ties migrating to different limbs and multiplying, and the dancing becoming more ridiculous to the soundtrack of songs from that era. I was very impressed with the expert curation of the song selection. The final interval, featuring a breathy song with the ensemble dancing on the floor, grinding as if they were in a Britney Spears video, was immaculate. As the main characters returned to the stage to begin the next scene, the lingering grinding by the ensemble was a cheeky touch, as the audience struggled to contain their laughter and redirect their attention to the leads. It felt like the ensemble was daring you to look away.
Enron presented by Curtin’s Theatre Arts and the Hayman Theatre Company.
Clever metaphors were used throughout, such as the three blind mice representing the company board, and a tie blindfold for the character symbolising the judicial system, holding a cardboard cut-out of the scales of justice. The puppetry of the accountant deserves special mention. Cardboard cut-outs and the reuse of ties to create a motif throughout the show is the kind of creativity I love to see in small-scale productions. Having some actors play multiple small roles, with simple costume changes to distinguish each character, also allowed the ensemble to avoid being relegated to “supporting” roles, as they were able to showcase their range by switching between a variety of characters. The 11-strong ensemble truly made this production.
Enron is presented by Curtin’s Theatre Arts and the Hayman Theatre Company.