How prescient it was of satirist Shepherd Mead to give his lying, cheating, backstabbing man child villain of his bestselling book, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, the name of Frump.
This self serving sniveller has eyes on his uncle’s company’s presidency not through merit but by naked nepotism and innate narcissism. His foil is the ambitious and resourceful J. Pierrepont Finch, no less of a conniver but a much more meritorious one.
How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a quirky instructional guide to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive, tackling such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant “company man,” the office party, backstabbing coworkers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.
This decidedly dinosaur of a musical features a score by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert and plays into the stereotypical tropes of gender assignment, where men are the bosses and women are the secretaries. Burt Bacharach’ Wishin and Hopin and Wives and Lovers would not be out of place, and indeed, have more oomph that many of the songs in the show. Notwithstanding, the original songs, I Believe in You and Brotherhood of Man, have become minor classics, and to the score’s credit there is the redemptive, A Secretary is Not a Toy.
Jake Speer makes for an affably ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch, a benign corporate ladder climber and master manipulator, able to pivot negatives into positives through fibs and flattery.
Simon Burke knits a nice rendition as the formidable company president, J.B. Biggley with Lucy Lalor giving great glamour as his lover, luscious lush, Hedy LaRue.
Max MacDonald is shiftily nefarious as Frump, while veteran Wayne Scott Kermond takes on the dual roles of Mr. Twimble and Mr. Womper. Stacey Thomsett impresses as secretary-pool senior, Smitty, as does, Noni McCallum as Biggley’s PA, Miss Jones.
Christine Mutton’s costume design is a highlight, especially the frocks, and Dominic Foffani’s set is a seamless integration of lift lobby and office suite.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING now showing at Hayes Theatre,19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point To 27 September.
