The Whisky Taster

The Whisky Taster

The Whisky Taster

The Whisky Taster

Overview

Barney and Nicola are advertising wonder kids. They win accounts with wit, charm and a secret weapon: Barney’s ability to feel, smell and taste colours, and to translate these sensations into words. Lately Barney has been finding things far too colourful and wishes his full-throttle London life was more black and white, but Nicola is hell bent on winning accounts at all costs. When the two hire an old Scottish Whisky Taster to help them with a new campaign, the enigmatic and mysterious figure slows the Londoners to a stop with his strange wisdom, just as the deadline looms.

Graham’s dark comedy explores perception, sensitivity and feeling through the neurological condition synaesthesia. Whilst the characters thrive on the surface with witty banter and accomplished advertising pitches, their real lives threaten to intrude with a deeper, darker vein of seriousness and potential despair. When every sensation can be turned into a marketable, profitable brand, they start to lose sight of the real value of experience.

Want to perform this show?

Cautions

  • Caution Alcohol Alcohol
  • Caution Strong Language Strong Language
  • Caution Smoking Smoking

Details

  • Time Period: Contemporary, Present Day
  • Cast Attributes: Role(s) for Senior Actor(s)
  • Target Audience: Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)

Authors

James Graham

James Graham is a playwright and screenwriter.

His recent work includes the play Dear England, commissioned by the National Theatre, about Gareth Southgate’s transformation of the national team. After a sold-out run at the National in 2023, the play transferred to the West End ...

View full profile