As the festive season approaches, speculation is rife about who will get the lion’s share of this year’s bonus pool. But that’s nothing compared to the build-up to the Morgan Stanley staff pantomime. As the bank is again generously sponsoring the season at London’s Old Vic Theatre, where Kevin Spacey is artistic director, its employees also get the chance to tread the theatre’s hallowed boards. After the Old Vic production of pantomime ‘Aladdin’, Morgan Stanley takes over the theatre for one night in January to put on its own show.
The panto is performed and watched by employees only, but it’s a very serious business. Euromoney hears that performers have to put in a fair bit of rehearsal time. Senior bankers from the New York office are encouraged to attend. Last year’s production was ‘A lad in the city’, a clever take on Aladdin, you understand, which the professional cast at the Old Vic also presented that season. This year’s subject and title are a closely guarded secret, so watch this space. How about ‘Mack returns to his old beanstalk’?
