Producers Matt Leech and Hannah Evans envisaged a response to the 90s Cruel Britannia theatrical tradition, which focused attention on the downfall of New Labour and the wider socio-political landscape. Lashes of violence and raucous one-upmanship follow as various big wigs fight over cash and scandal. There are big laughs, too – my highlight featured a hospitalised Jewish assistant played with vigour by Joel Jackson, as he responded to the cast’s ‘Tom & Jerry’-esque junior criminals, who plan on attacking him in his weakest state. ‘Ruthlessness’ might have benefited from a weightier response to 90s shock theatre which perhaps considered the political establishment, but the show is well executed, shocking, and shockingly funny.

C eca, 1-27 Aug (not 13, 20), 1.30pm.
tw rating 4/5 | [Adam Bloodworth]