Today we are speaking to Libby Rodliffe about the show Jobsworth. The dark comedy is critically acclaimed and delves into the cost-of-living crisis. It is being performed at The Park Theatre in Finsbury Park between the 21st ,November to the 6th December. I spoke to Libby to find out all about it.
Hello! Tell us about yourself?
Hello! I’m Libby, an actor writer from Essex living in London. I trained at Central School of Speech and Drama and then went on to train with The Second City (school of improv).
Tell us about the show Jobsworth
I’ve temped for the last ten or so years alongside acting, and this show is heavily influenced by the various jobs I’ve worked along the way.
Jobsworth (co-written with Isley Lynn) is a farcical workplace comedy about a young woman called Bea, who’s secretly working three full-time jobs. None of her bosses know about each other and she needs to keep it that way because the only reason she’s juggling all this is to try and keep on top of the substantial amount of debt she’s suddenly found herself in. When Bea discovers one of her smarmy boss’ dirtiest secrets, it’s only the fear of mutual destruction stopping all the plates from crashing down around her.
How are rehearsals going?
We haven’t started rehearsals yet – we’re still in pre-production madness. The white-card presentation for the new set design is next week (which I’m so excited about!) and then rehearsals start in a couple of weeks.
What is the most challenging thing about doing the show?
It probably sounds contrived but honestly the biggest challenge for me at this point is knowing that on the 7th December the show will have closed.
The best thing about bringing the show to The Park Theatre?
There’s a few!
The Park is such a lovely space and perfect for new writing. We’re in Park 90 which is an intimate space with endless possibilities for exciting set design and audience configuration so there’s big excitement within the team about bringing the show to life here.
I’m also really excited to be doing the show in its full, published glory (120 mins) – the Edinburgh version was a drastically cut version to fit into the 60 minute time slot.
Park Theatre is really easy to get to – it’s right in the heart of zone 2, less than a minute’s walk from Finsbury Park station, and 10 minutes on the tube from Soho – and also has a fabulous audience community in North London. I’m so looking forward to sharing this show with such a varied audience!
What is the best reaction you have had from an audience member?
There were so many touching / funny / gorgeous moments from audience members in Edinburgh. The Fringe being the Fringe means you’re performing in spaces which aren’t purpose-built for theatre, so being able to see and hear the audience very clearly is sort of a given. This is a chaotic, raucous show, with gags a minute, but it’s got a big underbelly – debt, cost of living crisis, mental health linked to financial struggles and the power imbalance between employer and employee. I remember so clearly a man during one show who was physically reacting to the tension between Bea and the Big Bad Boss. At a particularly triumphant moment in the show, he whooped! That was lovely. We all want Bea to raise hell!
If people want to find you on social media, where can they find you?
I’m on instagram – @libbyrodliff.e
The rest of the brilliant team are also on instagram and will be posting Jobsworth-related content so be sure to check them out too –
Co-writer, Isley Lynn – @isleyalynn
Director, Nicky Allpress – @nicky_allpress
Producer, Becca Prentice – @prenticeproductions
Finally in three words why should people come to see Jobsworth?
1. Ifyouhaveeeverhadajobyouwillloveit
2. Ifyouhaveeverhatedyourbossyouwillloveit
3. Ifyouhaveeverhadmoneyproblemsyouwillloveit
If I’m not allowed the above very long and unusual words then I’ll just say:
You’ll have fun!
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