Office Party

Barbican/Underbelly/Assembly

Barbican Centre and Edinburgh Fringe

Innovative interactive party show. Opened at the Barbican Centre Christmas 2007. Transferred to Edinburgh Fringe 2008.

PRESS

'Ingeniously held in a real office block, the show makes great use of the space. It also calls upon top-drawer talent that includes Chris Green (aka Tina C), Ursula Martinez, Glen Wool and director Cal McCrystal. highlights include nudity, rude singing, dancing, contests, even acrobatics. You'll also make new friends. Office Party is unrealistic in the most fabulous way: it's superbly conceived, endlessly entertaining, and everyone has a spectacular time. I was dragged there kicking and screaming and I was dragged out kicking and screaming: I didn't want to leave! Office Party is unrealistic in the most fabulous way: it's superbly conceived, endlessly entertaining, and everyone has a spectacular time. 5 Stars'
The Scotsman

'This is site-specific work where the concept and the performance space work together seamlessly, it was totally consuming, filled with unexpected moments of humour. By the time the night drew to a close, the feeling that you had been at an office party for two hours was inescapable- and boy what a party! Another unique aspect of this performance was they way in which the audience sections bonded with each other, as well as unselfconsciously interacting with the performers, forming a real sense of camaraderie. The ease with which the audience seemed to so naturally become part of the performance makes you wonder what the hell are we doing sitting in the dark for long periods of time this August, when we could be out at office parties!? Take a group of friends, have a few drinks, lose your inhibitions and get ready for what has to be the best night out of the Fringe. 5 stars. '
Fringe Review

'Office Party is a Blast!'
Metro

'To say this is the most fun you can have at the Fringe doesn't even begin to do it justice. Whether it's stripping or stuffing their faces in a cake-eating competition the audience are literally falling about the floor laughing. Rude, filthy, astoundingly good, if only real office parties were like this. Hairline Seldom were ham and cheese so well combined in a sandwich as in Cal McCrystal's interactive version of that familiar titular institution, the office party. The series of turns has a flavour of the burlesque. A good, boozy night out. 5 stars'
The List

'This is no ordinary show but an interactive theatrical event, in which the spectators become employees of the fictional firm who participate in the office party. Cue quizzes, binge-eating, nudity and, well, more nudity as the teams compete to win alcoholic prizes. Though it seems unlikely that random audience members would cast off their clothes as readily as snakes shed skin, it is impossible to know who is—and who isn't—part of the show's official cast. There's always the fear that you too could be cajoled into pulling down your pants for a laugh. Office Party is an absolute blast. You'll leave wanting to recreate the crazy capers at the Christmas 'do'. 4 stars'
Fest Magazine

'Office Party is intimidating and awkward, hilarious and deep, innovative and fresh: the most post-modern theatrical experience you're likely to encounter at the 2008 Fringe Festival. Office Party leave it up to you to make your own show but you'd be hard pressed to make it anything other than spectacular. With brilliant acting and hilarious cabaret acts bringing to life this wonderful concept you'd be a fool not to go.'
EdFest Magazine

'To say this is the most fun you can have at the Fringe doesn't even begin to do it justice. Whether it's stripping or stuffing their faces in a cake-eating competition the audience are literally falling about the floor laughing._Rude, filthy, astoundingly good, if only real office parties were like this… The Guaranteed Monster Smash! Office Party has already enjoyed a run at the Barbican in London, and is directed by Cal McCrystal, who has worked with The Mighty Boosh – no stranger to the surreal then.'
Scotland On Sunday

'How would one explain to a Martian the hilarious phenomenon of Office Party? It's as though we are collectively trying to exorcise the spirit of every appalling office party we've ever (dis)graced by volunteering for a fictive one. I don't want to give too much away about the disco, or the quality cabaret acts, or the party games, but, expertly combining the skills of actors with the talents of improv artistes, the winning performers preserve the show's wobbly ontological balance. And the '
The Independent

'The show is fast paced and the wide range of acts keep thins lively - being a slightly artsy bunch there is a bit of obligatory 'avant-garde' nudity - while the welcome pay-for bar keep things upbeat. For sheer entertainment, though, Office Party is going to be a hard show to beat this Christmas. 4 stars'
Metro

'Slyly incorporating office politics and astute observations on the distorted social microcosm of the workplace, the piece conjures the annual staff jamboree, in all its ghastliness and drunken hysteria, with accuracy and a pleasingly surreal slant. The actors’ total immersion in character and quick-witted improvisational skill give the show edge. And a clutch of startling climactic coups de théâtre, which I won’t spoil for prospective partygoers by describing, throw up shrewd and even poignant observations about the way in which we allow our jobs to define us, and the roles we play, willingly or otherwise, in our professional lives. This won’t be the best piece of theatre you’ve been to this year; but it may well be the best office party.'
The Times

'In its loosest sense Office Party 2007 is a promenade performance that embodies the highs and lows of a typical inter-departmental Christmas disco. The creative team here have hit just the right balance allowing the party to develop organically with just enough set pieces to remind the audience that this is actually a production and not a simply a disco. The promenade nature of the piece adds a certain edge and with audience members happily getting into the party spirit, it is difficult to discern performers from cast. It is this edge that makes the production work and consequently tickets for the barbicanbite are arguably the hottest tickets of the season.'
The Stage

YEAR
2008