At a time when banks and bankers have been playing too free with our money, generously helping to usher in an international financial crisis and grand recession, Steve Thompson’s elegantly acted black comedy comes with topicality’s alluring imprint. Yet even financial illiterates like me, uncertain just what Bond Traders do or why they are permitted to go in for shorting,the practice of selling bonds owned by someone else, will be afforded precious few insights or revelations by Roaring Trade.
In 18 scenes and 90 minutes Thompson deftly paints in some of the warts on the unacceptable face of capitalism. He illuminates the traders’ world, where millions change hands hourly. Roxana Silbert’s sprightly production amuses and disturbs with its vignettes of the cynicism, spiritual swagger and aggression of these sharp-talking chancers.
In the end they take advantage of each other’s trickiness — or is it crookedness? There is, though no smack of conflict or battle of ethics, despite betrayals, subterfuge and risky deals, to keep us rapt.
In Thompson’s nicely jaundiced view Bond Trading comes with a frequent erotic charge. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, excellent as a super-cool trader who exudes a haughty sex-appeal, puts Andrew Scott’s sardonic East End boy, Donny, through a distinctly S and M job-interview. Christian Roe’s rather too bland Cambridge graduate, Spoon, and Donny compare bonuses in "mine is gonna be bigger" terms. For Roaring Trade never forgets its essentially frivolous intentions.
Until 7 February (020 7478 0100)
Roaring Trade
Soho Theatre
Dean Street, W1D 3NE
