'Do we work in public relations? Because I'm starting to feel like I accidentally work in public relations.'
Private equity fund manager Rick has just thrown a lavish engagement party - the same week that his firm forced layoffs in a supermarket chain it owns, causing a PR nightmare.
His business partner Seth jumps to the rescue with a publicity-friendly investment that will save an American company and promote job growth.
But Jenny - the firm's third partner - has other ideas. She wants maximum returns, no matter what the critics say?
Dry Powder is a razor-sharp comedy about the people who shape - and skew - the economy. It was first performed at the Public Theater, New York, before its UK premiere at Hampstead Theatre in 2018, starring Hayley Atwell, Aidan McArdle and Tom Riley.
'Frighteningly funny? timely play' Variety
'Burgess writes smart dialogue that crackles' Deadline
New York City - open for business 24/7.
In the same week his private equity firm forced massive layoffs at a supermarket chain, Rick threw himself a lavish engagement party - which even featured an elephant - setting off a publicity nightmare. However all's not lost when you're the titan of high finance - there's still an abundance of cash in reserve and Seth, one of Rick's partners, spots an opportunity to salvage the company's reputation with an investment that's both sound and PR-friendly.
But Jenny, the third partner, and Seth's nemesis, has other ideas: she's not in business to make friends. If there's money to be made, she'll do whatever it takes to generate the maximum return, irrespective of what the critics might say...
The game is on in Sarah Burgess' breathtakingly witty and virtuosic comedy exploring the vision, the vulnerability, and the vilification of those shaping - and skewing - the economy.
Dry Powder premiered at Hampstead Theatre, London, in January 2018.
