Gasping

Little Theatre

Comedy

Ben Elton

Characters: 3 male, 3 female

Interior Set

The first play written by the popular author of Popcorn, Gasping is a brilliantly funny satire on big business, the media and product exploitation. Lockheart Industries is making serious money, but Sir Chiffley Lockheart needs the buzz that finding a way to make money where none has existed before gives him. Philip, a pushy workaholic executive, suggests selling designer air. Perrier for the nostrils becomes the marketing phenomenon of the decade and millions are quickly made. People start hoarding for a rainy day and oxygen supplies run low. The Third World is plundered, creating a greater divide between the haves and have nots. The world starts gasping and only the biggest suckers survive.

"A poisonously funny morality play.... A remarkable debut." London Sunday Times.

"A sharp witted satire.... Extremely funny." Independent.