Before we even enter the theatre, a cheerful, winning young man encourages the audience, who are scattered all over the foyer, to each write our names on a sticker badge, wear it and sign a confidentiality agreement. So really I am breaking confidence in writing this at all.

As it turns out we, the audience, find out we are new recruits for ‘the Ministry’, on an orientation visit. But apart from a few scary minutes when the actors choose some to ‘train up’ and four hardy theatre types go forward, for the most part this show works very well as comedy and provocation, involving but not frightening the audience too much – well apart from the ideas, but I can’t tell you about that!  

Mal, the Head of Section in this part of the Ministry, introduces the other ‘workers’, each part of a four part sequence, roughly: selection, processing, collating and activating. But we are not told immediately what this section actually deals with until they reveal it’s a Dream Factory.

People are the products and subjects of this Ministry and, having had their personal details entered into the huge white computer, their goals and dreams are also added. These are collated into headings such as encounters with animals, locations, meeting celebrities or adventure activities. Then these are matched up and so we have the engaging title of the show: as a particular person (confidentiality protected here) has declared dreams which come together as ‘Swimming with whales in Tonga’. Only a few people at a time seem to get selected to have their dreams come true, rather like a lottery.  

It’s an Orwellian take on ‘The Office’, once the office politics start to show.  Ben, the nice young man who greeted us, is in fact the rather ruthless Manager of the Department. His brother, Andrew, the longest-serving member of the department, is a total contrast, being a sleazy party animal ‘wanna-be’ whom it’s impossible to complain about or get rid of. 

Mal, the Head of Section, is restrained and wry, while Mary, the Games Captain of the office who organises staff events, is over the top with enthusiasm and good intentions. Then there’s Emily, the newest recruit, who is so overwhelmed by her responsibilities that she can barely speak.

Finally there’s Simone who is in charge of accounts and calculations, and seems extremely ambitious. The conflicts between her and Andrew make for some entertaining one-liners, especially over his overt sexual harassment.  But confidentiality seems to be the most important thing in this office, that’s when they are not busy enacting drills and stacking or scanning mysterious blue file boxes.

Apparently there’s a leak in the Ministry and an activist group called ‘Veracity’ has been getting hold of vital confidential information and making it public. It’s enough to put the squeeze on any office.

The collective energy and timing of this new Auckland-based theatre group, Skeleton Crew, and the witty script make for a really funny and thought-provoking entertainment. There are some great laugh-out-loud moments and the show runs a full hour, with bright clear lighting, simple props and good technical, support.

The end of the show brings a surprise and though I can’t reveal any spoilers, I can say that it reminds us that it was an entertainment, not a real orientation after all.

Go and see it for yourselves for a really great night out at the Hamilton Fringe.

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