The Agent - TNT

First time playwright Martin Wagner no longer has an agent — and he isn't very likely to get one after this short debut inspired by a less than satisfactory meeting regarding his own representation. This isn't just because of the standard of the writing - initially he generates several laughs and has successfully captured an office environment where those at the bottom of the list are never given 100 percent attention. But no-one would willingly place themselves in the uncomfortable position in which William Beck's deal-broking literary agent Alexander finds himself when nerdy, struggling author Stephen resorts to drastic measures to get his second book the publicity he thinks it deserves. It may be a cruel, money-motivated world in which commercial viability often outweighs merit, but, having set up a promising scenario, Wagner's plot twists peter out in too much self-pity and, as a result, this well-acted production fails to cash in on its potential.
Trafalgar Studios 2, Whitehall, SW1, 0870 060 6632. Until August 18