Lights Out

Synopsis

Erin is a motivated member of the unemployed precariat, who is coached by a Practitioner to secure a high-level professional job. The Practitioner meticulously trains Erin in various aspects such as body language, elocution, and personal presentation, pushing her to embody traits deemed necessary for corporate success. As Erin progresses, the Practitioner’s professional facade begins to crack, revealing the underlying pressures and absurdities of the programme.

In later scenes, we see Erin’s growth and the challenges she faces in adapting to a new job in the cultural sector. The Practitioner introduces more esoteric qualities like “Disinterestedness” and “Ease,” which reflect the unwritten rules of power and cultural capital. The narrative crescendos with the Practitioner’s increasingly desperate attempts to mold Erin, culminating in a poignant exploration of identity, authenticity, and societal expectations. The play concludes with a direct address to the audience, critiquing the effectiveness and ethical implications of such programmes.