The Boss of It All

Lars von Trier, Jack McNamara

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781783196388
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Television

A critically acclaimed, smart and fast-paced comedy about faked identities and explosive office politics, adapted from Lars von Trier's cult classic film. The boss of an IT company is secretly selling up. To save face he hires Kristoffer, an actor, to take the blame. Thrown in at the deep end, the hapless actor gets more than he bargained for. In an office of misfit staff, he faces an unexpected dilemma; to sell off the company or try and save his new-found friends. Through 40 years of making and touring exceptional and original theatre, New Perspectives has established itself as the East Midlands national touring company. This is Jack McNamara's first adaptation as the company's Artistic Director.

SCENE 1

An office meeting room.

KRISTOFFER alone. He is applying some soot to his forehead.

KRISTOFFER

I have travelled far…

And with reluctance to this town…

(Quietly dramatic.) The war is coming. The war is coming.

He puts the tub of soot away and takes out a piece of paper.

KRISTOFFER

(Reading, occasionally off-book.) Hello.

At last we meet.

I am the company president.

I have given Mr Ravn power of attorney to conduct and
conclude our negotiations.

And now I had better get going.

I have a flight to catch to America.

So cheerio then.

Possibly.

He repeats the speech without the paper, occasionally glancing at it
for prompts.

Hello.

At last we meet.

I am the company president.

I have given Mr Ravn power of attorney to conduct and
conclude our negotiations.

And now I had better get going.

I have a flight to catch to America.

So cheerio, then.

Possibly.

Looks at paper again.

Possibly?

KRISTOFFER nods in admiration at the word. RAVN enters holding
papers.

RAVN

They’re parking up outside.

Let’s get the paperwork out of the way.

RAVN lays out a contract.

Just need you to sign here.

KRISTOFFER

“So cheerio then. Possibly.”

RAVN

What?

KRISTOFFER

It’s a great line.

Intriguing.

RAVN

No the “possibly” is for you.

You don’t say it out loud.

I’m saying, only say “Cheerio” if it feels appropriate.

It’s a bit old-fashioned. I thought he might like it.

KRISTOFFER

Leaving it open. Good.

You say you’ve never written for the stage before?

I don’t believe that for a second.

RAVN

Why?

KRISTOFFER

The text leaps off the page.

RAVN

Does it?

KRISTOFFER

“Hello

At last we meet.

I am the company president.” It’s intense. And succinct.

It says much more than it appears to.

RAVN

I was actually hoping it would say as little as possible.

Anyway, shall we –

RAVN draws KRISTOFFER’s attention to the contract.

KRISTOFFER reads it.

RAVN

I know it sounds a bit threatening, but it’s all just legal
jargon.

The main point is just to keep things secret.

But I imagine you’re used to that.

As an actor.

KRISTOFFER looks at him puzzled.

RAVN

You don’t stab someone onstage and say “don’t worry,
we’re only acting.”

KRISTOFFER

Depends on the part.

RAVN

Right.

KRISTOFFER

Some of Gambini’s anti-characters…

RAVN

I don’...