Jamie Griffiths' Solo Show THE QUANT Plays the Old Red Lion, Now thru July 20
You're a trainee trader at the world's second biggest bank. How high will you rise? How far will you fall?
Audience members take on the role of graduate trainee at a major financial institution in writer-performer Jamie Griffiths' solo-show at the Old Red Lion, July 15th-20th.
The show's protagonist - a physics PhD turned credit trader - presents a whirlwind tour of derivatives, systemic risk, leverage and chaos theory, utilising audience participation and a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate the highs and lows of a career in the financial fast lane.
But as we gain an experiential understanding of the pressures and rewards facing the newest recruits of The City's trading floors, The Quant's own story is revealed by increments. His journey from academia to analyst to trader turns traditional city boy stereotypes upside down. Simple greed is eschewed as more complex motivations for a career in finance are explored.
The Quant's fast-paced journey through the world of financial risk builds an ingredient list for a recipe for financial disaster and it soon becomes apparent that perhaps he has more experience of the downside of a crisis than first impressions suggest.
Nick Leeson, Jerome Kerviel, Kweku Adeboli - every few years a new rogue trader takes the fall for dodgy deals. But can a single individual be to blame when a department loses billions? And if not, who benefits from their downfall?
Writer-performer Jamie Griffiths has spent five years getting under the skin of the financial system, taking online courses and talking to city insiders to build a nuanced picture of trading that goes beyond mere banker bashing.
Following the run at the Old Red Lion the show travels to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, playing at the Hill Street Solo Theatre (Venue 41) from July 31st to August 24th.
For more information, visit quanttheatre.co.uk.
DETAILS:
Venue: Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ
Dates: Tuesday July 15th - Sunday July 20th
Times: Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 3pm, Sun 2pm
Tickets: £10 (£8 concs)
Box office: 0844 412 4307
Online: http://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/the-quant.htm
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