American Signs

American Signs delves deep into the underbelly of corporate America with unflinching cynicism, exposing its stark indifference towards both its employees and the communities it claims to uplift.

Through the compelling performance of its sole actress, Catherine Văn-Davies, the play starkly illustrates how the protagonist, initially stationed "On the Beach" (between assignments) ultimately becomes woven into a corporate project in Ohio.

Here, she tirelessly crunches numbers to salvage a failing company, only to find herself ensnared in a forbidden affair with her married colleague. The consequences are chillingly revealed as the narrative unfolds—a haunting reminder of corporate amorality.

The play itself is beautifully done. One thing that particularly stood out to me was how many people worked on this play despite there only being one person on stage. 

The set appears to be a simple bank of plain tables. It comes alive through the lighting design of Benjamin Brockman. It changes colours or flickers when the consultant felt unsure of herself or uncomfortable.

Văn-Davies’ phenomenal acting, the choreography around the tables, the use of reflection into the back mirror and the haunting sound design of Sam Cheng brought the narrative to life.

It was fascinating to see how Văn-Davies moved around the stage and moved the different elements on the stage to mirror her story.

The play is sprinkled with corporate speak and delicious euphemisms such as “right sizing” used to justify sacking employees which contrasts with the haunting stark plain language when the drama reaches its peak.

This juxtaposition creates a narrative of cyclicality, where her journey from obscurity to corporate involvement mirrors a tragic cycle of ambition, moral compromise, and collateral damage.

Throughout American Signs the theme of cyclicality resonates profoundly. The protagonist starts with a sense of purposelessness, only to find herself deeply implicated in corporate machinations that harm rather than heal.

This thematic thread underscores the play's critique of corporate practices that prioritize profit over people, leaving a trail of broken lives in their wake. As the actress portrays moments of introspection and anguish, her solitary presence on stage intensifies the play's emotional impact, making palpable the moral quandaries faced by those caught in the relentless grind of corporate ambition.

In its poignant exploration of corporate amorality and its devastating human toll, American Signs emerges not only as a critique but also as a powerful testament to the ethical dilemmas inherent in modern-day corporate culture.

Through a gripping performance and resonant themes of moral compromise and consequence, the play challenges its audience to confront uncomfortable truths about the price of ambition and the ethical compromises demanded by corporate survival.

Isabella Nocetti

Photographer: Prudence Upton.