Based on a 1952 book of the same name, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying was a humorous guide to navigating the perilous and well-trodden pathways to succeeding in climbing the corporate ladder.
First brought to the stage in 1961, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser (Guys and Dolls), and book from Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willy Gilbert, the play is very much a creature of its time.
With the current production at Hayes Theatre playing to the past with characters and settings, it also brings to life a show that feels as witty and vibrant as when first played on Broadway, where it won seven Tonys.
The story concerns the the rise of window washer, J Pierrepont Finch (Jake Speer) for the World Wide Wicket Company as he looks for a job following the prompts of the book. Deciding to brave the company’s hallowed halls, he later runs into company head, JB Biggley (Simon Burke).
On his way through the company Finch also meets Rosemary Pilkington (Georgia Laga’aia), a friendly secretary, who falls for him. She also introduces him to Mr Bratt (Kaeng Chan), who gives him a job in the mailroom, his first step into the corporate world.
Rosemary announces her intentions for Finch and her suburban dreams with Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm, potentially a cringeful moment, but saved by Laga’aia’s passionate delivery.
After a glimpse of corporate life at the lower echelons (Coffee Break), we are now used to director and choreographer Cameron Mitchell’s exaggerated cartoonish approach that helps distance the production from its original and and often frequent sexist and misogynistic time warp, and lets the fun take over.
Finch takes to corporate life immediately, as he finds his own gormless and ambitious character is perfectly at home in this world. While Mr Twimble (Wayne Scott Kermond) teaches him about longevity at the company, the book tells him to keep moving, so sensing bigger things in store, he gives up a promotion to Frump (Max Macdonald), setting him on a collision course with Mr Gatch (Zachary Webster).
The office politics is soon interrupted further when Mr Biggley’s secret mistress, Hedy LaRue (Lucy Lalor) is hired as a secretary, and things get even more complicated.
This act introduces the song A Secretary is Not a Toy, and sets Finch on his even more duplicitous rise up the greasy pole (The Company Way). More corporate machinations follow as the book proves to a prescient tome, as everybody gets what they desire, with one well deserved exception.
As choreographer and director, Cameron Mitchell has taken on a lot, and succeeds at both, being blessed also with a cast that interprets his dance moves and singing with aplomb and skill. Jake Speer falls into the character of Finch with ease, and despite the audience distaste for his naked ambition, they still want him to win in this amoral world.
Laga’aia excels as Rosemary across all disciplines, as she inhabits a character writ for times long past. Burke proves that he can still inhabit a stage as the morally conflicted Biggley, while his singing voice proves there is nothing like experience.
As Bud Frump, Macdonald is a treat to watch, dark and menacing one moment and yesterday’s news the next. Lucy Lalor’s character of Hedy LaRue plays the dumb but dangerous blonde to the hilt, imbuing her with gorgeous charm and looks along the way.
Other characters of note are Kaeng Chan’s Bert Bratt, Stacey Thomsett’s Smitty, and Taye Grant’s Ovington, as head of advertising, a very dangerous position to hold.
Zachary Webster doubles as Gatch and the assistant choreographer, while Madeline Pratt’s Miss Krumholtz brings great characteristics to the role. Also noted in a well-rounded cast are Kye Hall, Katie Green and Kristina McNamara.
Dominic Foffani proves that the small Hayes Stage is no hindrance to a good design. His ingenuity in adaptability, which, coupled with Peter Rubie’s lighting, proves to be striking look of its time. Christine Mutton’s costumes keep the tones right for the period, and both the men and women look fabulous.
Sound design from Adam Wood, coupled with music from Damon Wade and a five-piece band make this one classy production with infectious songs, great dancing and singing that triumphantly survive from a time thankfully long in the past, with the exception that there have been no changes in the corporate world.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Elizabeth Bay
Performance: Wednesday 2 September 2026
Season continues to 27 September 2026
Information and Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au
Images: The Company of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying – photo by John McRae | Georgia Laga’aia – photo by John McRae | Jake Speer and Lucy Lalor – photo by John McRae | Simon Burke, Max Macdonald and Lucy Lalor – photo by John McRae
Review: John Moyle