Getting OutSarah Henley

Lion & Unicorn Theatre, London

Getting Out is a broad comedy set in the London office of a US law firm. The first play by former legal executive student Sarah Henley, who by no coincidence used to work in the London office of a US law firm, its target is the simultaneously banal and bizarre nature of the workplace – in this case one populated by ruthlessly ambitious partners, workshy receptionists, raucous postroom boys, lawyers fearing for their jobs in the credit crunch, and an office manager in an amusingly dysfunctional relationship with her BlackBerry.

The production cleverly makes the best of a small acting space with no set and sparse props, while the six actors throw themselves into their roles (most play two characters each) with gusto.

With comically exaggerated characters, the piece is played mainly for laughs – depending on your viewpoint, it is delightfully rude or unnecessarily crude. This means there are no deep messages to be found here, while the story does lose its way at times. But at 75 minutes long (it rocks along like an extended sitcom) and the chance to take your drink in from the pub downstairs, it is a very pleasant way to spend an evening.

Neil Rose is a freelance journalist