History repeats just in time for NZ premiere of Enron

History repeats just in time for New Zealand premiere

As Barclays Bank moves to stem the fallout caused by its rogue traders, Stagecraft is bringing the New Zealand premiere of Enron, the stage show, to Wellington.

Written by Lucy Prebble (writer of TV series ‘Secret Diary of a Call Girl’), Enron tells the story of the spectacular rise and even more dramatic fall of the Texan energy, commodities and services company.

Co-directors Paul Kay and Joy Hellyer say the story of Enron, also explored in the 2005 film 'The Smartest Guys in the Room’, is, in essence, a well-known one about the illusion of success, the power of greed and the dangers of corporate life.

“We saw this show in the UK a couple of years ago and have been desperate to bring it to Wellington ever since,” says Joy.

“What we particularly liked is the balance of a central drama among the key players at Enron with a very stylised and hugely entertaining depiction of all the other figures who supported or were affected by the fraud. So for instance Arthur Andersen, the accountancy firm, is depicted as a ventriloquist and his dummy. And then the author also literally brings to life things like the financial ‘raptors’ the CFO created to hide the spiralling debt.”

Paul, who works in a senior management role for one of Wellington’s major law firms, says the subject matter is particularly relevant in Wellington which houses New Zealand’s regulators as well as the head offices for many energy, law and accountancy firms.

“The behaviour at Enron was absolutely shocking but all those around them also contributed to the bubble of perceived success,” says Paul.

“And we’re not immune to this in New Zealand – think of all the finance company collapses where trustees, auditors and financial analysts all failed to see through what was going on. And now we see it again in the UK – lessons really haven’t been learned.”

Enron was a huge hit when it premiered in London in 2009 and was described by The Times as a “gripping epic and modern parable about unfettered capitalism - not a dull moment in it”. The Sunday Telegraph gave it five stars.

Wellington audiences get their chance to see this hit show from 1 August.

Enron, is on at the Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street and runs from 1 to 11 August with tickets $22 or $20. Group bookings discounts are available. Booking fees may apply.

Bookings can be made at www.stagecraft.co.nz or ph 0508 484253

ENDS

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