TRADE: The Intoxication Of Profit, Greed And Questionable Ethics – Adelaide Fringe Review

Bakehouse Theatre – Studio, Mon 27 Feb. TRADE is a clever comment on the main cause of the GFC. The action is tight, the ensemble work superb, there’s drama aplenty as we see the intoxication of profit, greed, cocaine, questionable ethics and best of all, trying to make a billion dollars with other people’s money. Of course with risk often comes the possibility of loss, something not really possible in this world. Or is it? This piece is tight, 45 minutes on the night and perhaps just a little more time fleshing out the characters or exposing us to some of the others of the story (for instance a hapless dupe, I mean investor)... So after the fall we see team in India, looking to reinvent themselves into something more sound financially, ethically and sustainably – until their ex-boss literally calls them to heel… the dilemmas of ethical trading are raised, but unable to throw a spanner into the spokes of their Ferraris. One of the players starts to fight back, but slips back too easily, bullied into the pack – would reality be more cut-throat? The staging is bare bones minimalist. In the first instance three bi-folding frames provide a typical cubical office environment, quite flexibly and believably and simple roll-in carpets the less austere, more contemplative Indian environment. When the ensemble sings their single refrain, ‘Who wants to be a billionaire?’, I felt like replying, ‘I do!’. 4 stars Clayton Werner TRADE continues at Bakehouse Theatre – Studio from 6pm until Sat 4 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe