She Works Hard For The Money

Thursday night, I went to the Factory Theatre to see Morro And Jasp: 9 to 5. Upon entering the site, I was greeted with inspirational videos from JMI Industries. It turns out these sad-sacked clown sisters have started a business. The stage was set up as an office with the audience sitting on either side. This came in handy when various members were roped into participating as a financial consultant, an HR manager, venture capitalists from Pterodactyl Investments, and the rest of us became their employees half-way through the play.

Tired of always being fired from dead-end jobs, Morro and Jasp have taken out a questionable loan to start their own business. They've spent most of it on office equipment, a logo very similar to the Apple logo though it was actually their profiles from the side, and other business expenses. There were several problems: Morro was her usual over-exuberant self; Jasp was at her most scheming; they had a motto "JMI where the future is tomorrow" but no actual product. With only a few days before their funds run dry, and the loan payments are due, they need some angel investors to sign on.

Like their previous plays, the evening ping-ponged between slapsticks, clever quips, and an underlying emotional desperation. I enjoyed the play though they never quite achieved the heights of "Of Mice and Morro and Jasp". I also felt that too many elements were similar. It was like watching a entertaining sequel or familiar sitcom set-up. You knew how each part of the night will unfold from Morro's enthusiasm, to Jasp's exasperation, up the shocking "heavy moment", and on to the sweet ending.