THEATRE

David Benedict
Thursday 16 February 1995 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Lust, greed, murder... drama deals with burning issues. Lisa Kotin has added a few more to the list. Important questions like "What the lone Jew can do to amuse herself when forced to man the office during the Christmas party"; or "How to make personal calls from work without getting caught"; not to mention "How to photocopy your most intimate body parts".

Aside from Michael Frayn's Alphabetical Order, Meredith Oakes' The Editing Process and Julius Caesar, there have been few plays about office politics. Temporary Girl fills the gap with Kotin playing an entire office hierarchy.

"There's Jill Hardwood, the corporate head. A nightmare. Betty is the office manager and cheerleader - everything is really `Up, up, up!' Pearl is the ancient secretary who chainsmokes and curses all the time and who has been there since the days of one desk, one phone and a typewriter, and then there's Jeannette who's kinda based on me. She's the quirky temp, has had a boyfriend for 11 years - `its temporary' - and wants to be an actress."

Judging by the ecstatic reviews, Kotin's temping days are well and truly over. The show has been a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, with audiences sniffing out more than a whiff of reality from Kotin's hilarious expos. "It's not stand-up and it's definitely not performance art. My taste is pretty lowbrow and slapsticky." Think Carol Burnett. Or as one smart reviewer put it, "the new-wave Lucille Ball".

`Temporary Girl' is at the Cockpit Theatre from Monday (071-402 5081)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in