“The Mask Policy”: A sharp and darkly comic take on workplace survival — with Yan Wu delivering a standout performanceThe Mask Policy slices through the absurdities of modern workplace culture with biting humour and bold theatricality. Set inside the backstage machinery of London’s adult film industry, the play transforms a rarely examined environment into a mirror reflecting universal tensions of power, emotional labour, and the masks people learn to wear to survive. With layered narration, stylised movement, and a striking visual vocabulary, the production exposes the unsettling logic behind professional “performance.”
Among the strong ensemble, Yan Wu delivers one of the most memorable and energised performances. As the impatient and oblivious Boss, Wu brings razor-sharp comic timing and explosive physicality. The reviewer highlighted him as someone who “enjoys brief energetic moments of his own as the oblivious impatient Boss who wants ‘Money… money… position, reputation’ when things go awry.”
These moments, though brief, ignite the stage—turning the Boss into both a comedic hit and a disturbingly recognisable figure of workplace chaos disguised as leadership.
A key part of Wu’s impact comes from director Yi Tang’s meticulous shaping and control of the ensemble’s rhythm. Tang’s precise staging, sensitivity to actor timing, and sharp sense of tonal balance create the conditions for Wu’s performance to land with maximum force. Through Tang’s attentive direction, Wu’s character bursts into the spotlight at just the right moments, amplifying the play’s satire and giving the production its unforgettable comedic spark.
With its bold perspective, incisive critique, and the powerful synergy between Tang’s direction and Wu’s performance, The Mask Policy offers a sharply entertaining and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
