Today, we’re talking to Libby Rodliffe about ,Jobsworth; a 90 minute one woman comedy play about a young woman secretly juggling three full-time jobs, to deal with a large amount of debt she’s found herself in. Jobsworth is in its final week at Park Theatre, Finsbury Park and Libby would love you all to come and catch it!
What’s your show about and where can we see it?
Jobsworth, co-written with Isley Lynn, is about a young woman called Bea who’s secretly working three full-time jobs. None of her bosses know about each other, and she needs to keep it that way because she’s only doing all this to try and keep on top of the substantial amount of debt she’s suddenly found herself in. When one of her bosses catches her working the concierge desk at a luxury apartment building, while he’s doing something he shouldn’t, it’s only the threat of mutual destruction that stops all the plates she’s expertly spinning from crashing down around her.
Where did the inspiration for this play come from?
This play is heavily inspired by the last ten years I’ve been temping in London; I’ve dog-walked and dog-sat big dogs and little dogs and designer dogs that aren’t really dogs (one thing they’ve all had in common? Behavioural problems.) I temped in a shoe shop where the stockroom was spread out over 4 floors (I delivered a lot of fake bad news – sorry but we don’t have that size/style/colour/anything you liked in fact). I temped for a charity at racing car events (let me tell you a couple of things: no one wants to talk to you – ever – and no one wants a wrist band). There have been temp jobs serving at events, working behind bars, in hotel room service. Jobs in the city on reception, team assistants, PA’s, EA’s, recruitment and HR administrators. Remote jobs doing data entry and database cleaning (while also cleaning my flat. And watching Murder She Wrote. And selling my worldly possessions on eBay. Let’s hear it for remote working!Basically, Jobsworth is a culmination of my work experience, and my personal experiences with debt and the despicable cost of living crisis.
Who are your favourite Funny Women?
Everyone in Green Wing (Green Wing is my favourite show to have existed ever – so much so I found a way of writing my uni dissertation on it); Michelle Gomez, Sally Phillips and Pippa Hayward – the most stunning character work. Can you imagine a Sue White & Joanna Clore spin off?! I would not leave my flat.
My female friends are very funny and weird so for that I am grateful.
Our director on Jobsworth, Nicky Allpress, is absolutely hilarious; knows exactly where the laughs are and how to play them without playing them. We’re very lucky to have her.
What do you think makes great comedy?
It sounds boring but I think finding the funny in the mundane / every day is the best kind of funny. Truly it’s the characters that make anything worthwhile for me. A carefully curated handful of characters who are all different to each other, and recognisable in our own lives, can make the most simple storylines feel like a wild ride. I also like characters that are slightly pushed beyond the realms of what we expect. (Did I mention I like Green Wing?)
What have you been working on?
I have a few short films written which I want to get filmed early next year, so as soon as Jobsworth has closed (Saturday 6th December!) I’ll get the wheels spinning for those. We’ll also be pushing forward to next steps for Jobsworth, so watch this space!
You can get tickets for the final nights of Jobsworth here.
