Written by David Williamson
Directed by Sandra Bates
Ensemble Theatre, until March 11

With so much of our lives spent in the workplace, we hope for some measure of harmony with work colleagues. When relationships within the workplace start to break down, the atmosphere can develop from perceived slights to shifting alliances to trading insults to a climate of poison. Recognition that warring staff are counter-productive has given rise to 'conflict resolution'.

In Charitable Intent, David Williamson has developed an intense drama from the conflict in an organisation called Enabling & Caring. The disputes of the company have reached the point where the chairman of the board (Henry Szeps) has considered it necessary to convene a conflict resolution conference.

Enabling & Caring is a charity which helps disabled children and their families. The respected CEO of many years has retired and his replacement, Bryony (Kate Raison) is a dynamic, thoroughly modern, take-no-prisoners executive. She replaces the old guard with young, modern clones of herself. The contentions of the staff would seem to be irreconcilable.

On the bare stage, the urn and cups against the wall, the eight chairs arranged in a semi-circle suggest the audience is attending a seminar rather than a piece of entertainment. Yet for ninety minutes the audience is transfixed, in real-time, by the unfolding drama.

Jack Manning (Andrew Doyle), the conference convener arranges the participants and starts the proceedings, "Our version of history is always slanted our way." He rarely interrupts but guides each of the members to have her say, not allowing anyone to dominate.

The main conflict centres on the perceived bullying of Amanda (Denise Roberts) by the CEO, Bryony. One tries to sway using tears, the other uses calculated reasoning while both claim victim status. Roberts and Raison are excellent foils as actors giving Amanda and Bryony credibility.

The altercations of the Enabling & Caring staff is riveting thanks to Sandra Bates' direction and the perfectly-cast actors.

David Williamson's trademark one-liners are absent in Charitable Intent. Instead, the humour — and there are some very funny moments — arises from the sincerity of the players in their situations.