Nestled deep in a university building just off South Bridge, an impression of a White House receptionist’s office is the last thing you’d expect however, ROTUS: Receptionist Of The United States was a thoroughly enjoyable watch. Filled with satire and irony, Leigh Doughlas’ Republican, ex-sorority persona Charity Quirke was at once both a jarring character (in person, I’d hate her) whilst also perfectly capturing the pitfalls and prejudices of her character.
Beginning with giving a tour of the Oval Office to the members of her former sorority, audiences witness Charity’s life slowly falling apart, just as she becomes increasingly involved within the Republican party and the fictional President Drump’s rule. Just as we are seeing the rise of MAGA supremacism and patriarchy within the US today, so is Charity, only she is initially blind to the damage her president’s regime is causing.
Filled with wit and satire, ROTUS is thought through and considered, creating a multi-layered performance that audiences who enjoy political irony will love – especially those up to the minute with American politics.
Charity encapsulates the slightly risqué, blonde, all-American girl so associated with Republican politics that she then over-exaggerates and satirises, reflecting on how this regime could unravel, as it does in the show. For example, she gets the audience to chant “Jesus loves pretty girls” at the start of the show, perfectly demonstrating how Charity has grown up, and then what leads her to becoming ROTUS.
Of course, Charity’s character is far from perfect, and her vulnerabilities (such as not coming from a wealthy family) start to become her undoing. Therefore, the show reflected the necessity of empathy, despite the rise of the far right doing so much to try to limit this. Without giving too much away, she ends the show repeating that many of her actions were driven by “wanting the boys to like me” and isn’t being accepted something so many of us strive towards, constantly. Doughlas encapsulates the fear that drives much of the far-right, reminding audiences that groups with even the strongest supporters can be changed.
ROTUS: Receptionist of the United States is running until 24 August at Snug at Gilded Balloon Patter House and Doonstairs at Gilded Balloon Patter House.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Damian Robertson, provided to The Student as press material.