The Librarians: A Very Serious Comedy! review – workplace meltdown borrows from classic sitcoms

Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Well-tuned performances help along a familiar set of laughs as a rickety library gets a new manager and an inspection The sign says Plumstanton Library but this could be The Brittas Empire’s Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre, The Office’s Wernham Hogg or Torquay fleapit Fawlty Towers. Such is the instant familiarity of a failing workplace whose staff have a new manager and an inspector to contend with at once. It’s not only the books that are well worn in Matthew Howell and Jack Michael Stacey’s play. Acting head librarian Harry Wordsworth has even bought his own “best boss” mug like David Brent. Nevertheless it’s a frequently funny hour, with well-tuned performances. Harry (Matthew Howell) finds himself in charge when Peter, who has run the library for more than 25 years, pops his clogs in the Agatha Christie section. This death in the aisle is both a tragedy and mystery which the remaining staff stumble through, beset by dodgy electrics, dwindling visitors and a seemingly inevitable closure. Oafish Harry’s co-workers include Elaine (Billie Hamer), a stickler for the rules who can’t hear the word “fine” without reaching for her s