New drama explores workplace bullying

New theatre company Pillbox Theatre make their first trip to the Bike Shed Theatre this autumn with a powerful tale of one woman’s struggle between facing up to the grim reality of workplace bullying and the ideals of her Grandfather, a First World War conscientious objector.

Following Rebekah as her first job descends into a nightmare, Conscientious deals with large scale issues within the claustrophobic, small scale but familiar environment of an office. As the office becomes a battleground, friends become enemies and Rebekah is forced to consider the consequences of her actions and inactions when pushed to the edge.

Director Alex Chisholm explains:

“The play takes a situation we’re all familiar with – an office – to deal with huge questions of morality through history and now. Like any good piece of writing the play offers more questions than answers; when is it right to fight? What would you be prepared to do in defence of your country, your loved ones, yourself?”

Former National Youth Theatre member Rachel Ashwanden is charged with bringing Rebekah to the stage in this one-woman production. With a single person cast list, Alex has found the rehearsal process reflective of the way the piece was originally written by playwright Adam Z Robinson:

“I was drawn to the play, first by the strength of the writing – honest, immediate and engaging. And then by the quality of the collaboration between Adam and Rachel where performance and text evolved naturally together.”

Produced by Milan Govedarica and directed by Alex Chisholm, Conscientious by Adam Z Robinson comes to the Bikeshed Theatre, Exeter on Monday 13 October.

Tickets, priced £12/£8, can be purchased through the theatre’s website www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/conscientious or by calling the Box Office on (01392) 434169.