Office Party review, Pleasance London

Imagine all the office parties you've ever known rolled into one glorious evening of naffness. Short of the conga line, the knee-trembler and someone falling asleep in the loos, it's all here. There is also a bonus that most businesses won't stretch to this year: party entertainers. What a delight to find a handful of performers from Le Clique in situ, dazzling with their novelty acts and contortions, plus a song from one of the tenors who starred in the Cock Tavern's celebrated La Boheme.

Away in a manager

Office Party is exactly what it says on the tin. Audience members are allocated a department and a boss, pitched into a hall decorated with tiger stripes and gold drapes, and are led in singing the company song within minutes. 

It's the best and the worst of Christmas get-togethers with CEO, Barry Christberg, revealing he's just made 14 per cent of staff redundant so it's also an opportunity to give them a send-off. If it sounds awful, it is. It's also infectious, punctuated with 'fancy that' interludes, stand-up rows and silly party games. People organically assume the characteristics of an office crowd, gossiping with friends, stopping to dance or buy a drink at the bar; even to flirt and swap numbers. It all starts to feel peculiarly normal; strangers feel strangely familiar. 

In conclusion: The perfect outing for freelancers, friends, football teams, NCT mums, writers' groups... it's for people who love, or miss, having an office party. It's not quite David Brent, but there are Brent moments. A funny and fun evening. 

References

Pleasance Theatre

Charles Spencer review in The Daily Telegraph