Laura Wade’s POSH is a reasonably accurate fictionalisation of an Oxford University student club called the Riot Club, originally called the Bullingdon Club, founded in 1790. In one scene, the ghost of 17th century Lord Ryott appears in a magnificent authentic costume to announce his penchant for boozing, saucy wenches and senseless, destructive behaviour. At some point, the name changed from Bullingdon to the Riot Club in honour of the debauched Lord.
The tradition of the dining Club is to play drinking games, trash the dining venue, bring in a woman, and fantasise about finishing the night in a foreign country. Rich, they can buy their way out of anything. Cited examples of the members’ actual behaviours are burning a £50 note in front of a beggar and trashing a 100-year old pub. The long list of members of the Bullingdon club includes royalty and English prime ministers Boris Johnson and David Cameron.
In the play, one new member is an outsider, from a working-class family. Another is a wealthy Greek. They are accepted only because they need new members. Their aristocratic club is on the nose. These two, and eventually others, ask themselves why they came and why they are members at all. Here is when the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in. They suspect what they are doing is wrong, but the bonding force of comraderie overcomes each member’s doubts – “all for one and one for all”.
Playwright Laura Wade has created a sadly funny examination of the privileged class arrogance, excess and exclusion. What a wonderful script! The play was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2010, during a British election.
Congratulations to all in this production at the Old Fitz. What amazingly good acting, directed by Margaret Thanos. The producer is Ryan Whitworth-Jones. The set designer is Soham Apte – absolutely outstanding décor, furniture, and stairway. Aloma Barnes Siraswar’s costumes were accurate – the ten diners’ penguin suits and Lord Ryott’s finery seemed perfect.
The 14 actors are Tristan Black, Toby Blome, Mike Booth, Christian Byers, Max Cattana, Roman Delo, AJ Evans, Ryan Hodson, Charles Mayer, Dylan O’Connor, Dominique Purdue, Jack Richardson, Scarlett Waters, Anthony Yangoyan. All superb.
Special congratulations to Charles Mayer who played the uncle of a Club member and Lord Ryott. His portrayal of privilege and pomposity was five-star. Special mention to the stage managers and stagehcionfands who have to reset the stage after the characters have trashed the set.
This play isn’t only about a group of privileged British brats. Where else is this happening right now? Perhaps by a group of uber wealthy arrogant American brats?!
Theatre warnings : POSH contains strong language, derogatory slurs, and depictions of violence and physical intimidation. It explores themes of privilege, classism, toxic masculinity, and misogyny, with references to sexual violence.
A Queen Hades Production, Laura Wade’s POSH is playing the Old Fitz theatre until May 11 2025.
Production photography by Robert Catto
https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/posh
- Cheap Tuesday: $38.50 + booking fee
- Adult: $49.50-82.50 + booking fee
- Concession: $38.50-60.50 + booking fee
