HOW can we face the current crises in retail and manufacturing that seem to beset our country?

Canberra playwright Bruce Hoogendoorn has come up with a novel solution  to the problem — blackmail.

In his brand new play, “The Reluctant Shopper”, he presents us with a fictitious business council in which the boss has given out an order: do what it takes to get the public spending its money.

Into the hands of the council’s officer Barry, played by Rob de Fries, falls the hapless small-time tax evader Sam, played by Brendan Kelly, who is firmly “urged” to spend until he drops or else be reported to the ATO.

Briefly, stingy Sam doesn’t like to spend and has no one to spend on, but with a twist of the arm, Barry soon has him at Debbie’s gift shop being persuaded to buy a stuffed unicorn.

As usual, Hoogendoorn, who has produced four previous plays in Canberra in the last six years, uses comedy to make his point about contemporary Australian society.

De Fries, playing the nice blackmailer, hints to me that his character might have a heart of gold, but prefers to say no more.

Could it happen? Is it the way to go?

You could say the  ongoing financial crisis makes almost anything possible, but Hoogendoorn seems to be arguing back, “Let’s hopes not.”

The Reluctant Shopper, at the Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre, until June 29, (Wed-Sat. 8pm; matinees Saturday 22 and 29, 2pm) bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au/site/what-is-on.php?detail=the-reluctant-shopper-0453