A recent survey reveals that we say ‘yes’ to flyerers more often out of politeness than genuine interest. For the survey, yes means failure; for flyerers, yes means triumph, another box ticked. So society’s yes-man Jack finds himself locked in an empty conference room, speaking to a box-ticking intercom which has dark motives of its own. Christopher Birks’ performance as Jack, like Irwin in ‘The History Boys’, flits between nervous affirmatives and arrogant negatives, maintaining energy even in the quietest of moments. Co-actor Robert Neumark-Jones’ stage presence, whilst more greatly felt over the terrifyingly impersonal intercom, provides a wonderfully nauseating contrast with a plastic ‘Miss America’ smile and sugared words. I’ll say yes to the flyerer without a second thought.

theSpaces on the Mile, 5 – 20 Aug (not 7, 14), times vary, £6.00 – £9.00, fpp291.
tw rating 4/5
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