The Grönholm Method , currently at The Menier Chocolate Factory is set in the offices of a New York City Fortune 500 company, 4 unsuspecting candidates embark on the most testing job interview of their lives.
Written by Jordi Galceran, this taut play – which premièred in Barcelona in 2003 to great critical acclaim, exposes the psychological depths people will go to in order to get what they want. In our age of reality TV game shows and tweeting US presidents, The Grönholm Method explores the human capacity to manipulate, lie and ‘play the game’ to get ahead in life.
BT McNicholl directs Jonathan Cake, Greg McHugh, and John Gordon Sinclair, alongside Laura Pitt-Pulford who joined us to tell us more about the play.
The Grönholm Method is at The Menier Chocolate Factory until 7th July 2018.
You’re starring in the The Grönholm Method at The Menier Chocolate Factory, what can you tell us about it?
I would describe the play as a witty, psychological thriller. It’s about four individuals interviewing for a top job in a Fortune 500 corporate company in New York. It questions how far people will go when they are hungry for success with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
How does it feel to be back at the Menier so soon after performing in Barnum?
I had such a wonderful experience working on Barnum. I was so happy to be invited back. It feels a bit like coming home.
The Grönholm Method was very well received when it opened in Barcelona in 2003, do you think events of the last 15 years have affected the themes of the play?
Without saying too much about the play, yes, absolutely! A lot has changed in 15 years and is continuing to change, which is very positive. Especially so in the last 2 years. What hasn’t changed is people’s hunger for success though, and with the rise of things like social media, much more so. I’d say it’s also interesting to do a play with content which may have been shocking to an audience 15 years ago, but now is equally shocking to an audience for very different reasons – it comments on how we’ve changed as a society, and allows the audience to acknowledge this change.
What do you like most about Melanie, the character you play?
I like how utterly fearless she is. From the moment she walks into the space she is clearly a force to be reckoned with. Like a hurricane at times.
How have you been getting to know your fellow cast mates?
By laughing an awful lot (sometimes too much) during rehearsals. They really are a lovely, talented bunch and along with the laughter we are all working incredibly hard.
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever done to get a job?
Oh wow…I don’t think I’ve ever done anything too off the wall. Although I did once finish an audition and instead of walking out of the room, I walked into a store-cupboard! At which point, they all laughed hysterically at me. I still think it’s that that got me the job!
Photo: Manuel Harlan
