Enron - Review

Reviewed by Marie Su
My companion and I are of an age to remember the original scandal involving the Enron Company in the USA exposed in 2001 and so were many of the audience members of the New Theatre in King St, Newtown. Lucy Prebble has written an insightful play; 'Enron', which unfolds the build up and eventual unraveling of the Enron Energy Company. This financial fiasco lead to company executives, workers, traders, investors and financial planners and yes, even the Lehman Brothers (as underwriters) into one of the greatest sharemarket debacles of recent memory.

'Enron' is a salutory example of how hedging works in the sharemarket. It tells how rolling on debt, while not obviously illegal at the time, involves the loss of a moral compass. Insider trading huge payouts to executives and striving for profits that are not based on real productivity, create a bubble that is bound to bust.

My thanks to Lucy Prebble and the New Theatre for raising these issues and explaining then clearly; GFC's and sub-prime mortgage crises are, unfortunately, quite modern concerns for us, so this play is very relevant.

Matt Young, as Jeffery Skilling, portrayed the creative genious of a man with the understanding that if the law hasn't kept up with his financial strategies, then the government had employed inept lawyers. Mr Young was clear, persuasive and manipulative in his very effective performance. He was ably assisted by Nick Curnow as Andy Fastow, in his creative reboxing (Babushka doll-like) of debt and, his relegating of failing subsidiary companies in the form of Raptors ( cat-like women kept in wire, red glowing cages, waiting to be fed with debt). So, from this description it can be gleaned that the New Theatre production of 'Enron' was itself quite an imaginative and creative feat.

The staging, costuming, sound and lighting all assisted the very capable ensemble of fifteen actors (taking on sometimes seven roles each) in telling their quite complex tale. My special vote of appreciation goes to the two Lehman Brothers, (played by Gareth Cruikshank and David Todd). The audience appreciated their input.

Especially if audience members don't remember the Enron situation historically, this play is one where audience members certainly need to listen for intricate explanations and motivations, as well as insider humour. Audiences were also reminded that office politics involves sexual activities that could have been left to the imagination.

'Enron' shows at the New Theatre from the 4th-29th of June.