Scottish economist Adam Smith coined the term the ‘invisible hand’ in his seminal book The Wealth of Nations in 1776. For him, only an economy that is fueled by the inherent self-interest of individuals – or greed as Gordon Gecko would say – could efficiently allocate resources for their best use.

Fast forward two centuries and the concept of this benevolent invisible hand seems quixotic. The 0.1% hold over half of the world’s wealth, much of it buried in Panamanian tax shelters, behind layers of shell companies. Smith would likely be sorry to see that his ‘invisible hand of the market’ has been re-possessed, ransomed, and re-purposed into a puppeted glove that serves the very few at the cost of the many.

A new play opening in Vancouver this week, The Invisible Hand, explores this growing divide between the haves and have-nots. Written by US writer and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar, the play is a high-stakes thriller that dives into the core of the intersection between the distribution of wealth and the rise of Islamic extremism. His story follows a kidnapped American trader in Pakistan playing the market for his life. 

Akhtar’s play pits three kidnappers against a lone American trader. Here the have-not’s finally tip the balance of power in their favour as they seethe over “wealthy Americans looting our country, taking our water away from the people”. Taut scenarios unfold as the trader works to earn his release while unwittingly handing the tools for financial chaos and political vindication to his captors.

The have kidnapped the trader, a symbolic act of seizing his power – but will it hold and who actually is ultimately in control?

Playwright Ayad Akhtar was born in New York City and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is the author of American Dervish, published in over twenty languages worldwide and a 2012 Best Book of the Year at Kirkus Reviews, Toronto's Globe and Mail, Shelf-Awareness, and O (Oprah) Magazine.

The Invisible Hand stars Craig Erickson, Shaker Paleja, Munish Sharma and Conor Wylie. It is directed by Richard Wolfe. 

For more information go to www.thecultch.com/events/the-invisible-hand.

SHOWTIMES
WHEN: April 5 – 23, 2016
Apr 5, 8 PM: Preview | Apr 6, 8 PM: Opening Evenings: Apr 7 – 9, 12 – 16, 19 – 23: 8 PM, Matinee: Apr 10, 17, 23: 2 PM
WHERE: Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver
TICKETS: Tickets from $20! Single tickets on sale now through The Cultch’s Box Office:
CONTACT: 604-251-1363 or www.tickets.thecultch.com.
ADDED VALUE: Enjoy a lively post-show Q&A session with the artists: Apr 10, 12, 17, 19