Staff training days for many office workers will forever be linked with David Brent prancing around in a baseball cap singing Simply The Best.

Now it has emerged one of the supporting cast in The Office had to take co-star Ricky Gervais' legendary performance firmly on the chin.

That is because David Schaal, who plays Warnham Hogg warehouse manager Glyn, co-runs a corporate training company in real life.

David is one half of Brighton-based Playout, which he founded in 1988 with business partner and television presenter Becky Simpson.

The business is run from Becky's home in Beaufort Terrace. David lives in London.

For the last 15 years they have used live performances and comedy to help people improve their presentation skills and with work situations.

Becky, 42, said: "I met David when he was working in a show in London and I was working as a reporter on a local paper.

"We were both actors and started the company by playing simulated patients for medical students. It has spiralled from there. We now devise three main training programmes on difficult encounters, creative presentations and dynamic diversity."

The pair focus mainly in the South-East and have close links with the University of Brighton, Horsham Primary Care Trust and the Worthing Pavilion Theatre.

Becky said: "Whichever course we run, people always say it is fun and challenging."

Customer care is in Becky's blood. Her mother, Audrey Simpson, used to run the Granville Hotel and was also head of the Brighton Chamber of Commerce.

David, 40, is quick to point out the courses bear little resemblance to those given by David Brent in The Office.

He said: "I have never seen anyone dancing around the room in a baseball cap. The Office works because it is so over the top but, at the same time, people recognise a kernel of truth in the characters.

"The show has been great for business in that it has helped inject a real element of fun."

Even though Gervais' character has helped to give office humour a dirty name, David still thinks comedy has a place in the workplace.

He said: "Comedy is a great medium for training because if you can make something enjoyable you are halfway there.

"Becky and I are often called upon to perform ice-breaking comedy sketches at business conferences and these work very well when a group of businessmen need warming up."

Those that have worked with David and Becky agree they bring great energy and enthusiasm to the training sessions.

Gerry Kassab who runs Worthing based management consultants Green and Kassab said: "They are a terrific double act who bring fun and enthusiasm to corporate training.

"It is the most enjoyable course I have ever been on and I learnt a lot about myself."

Wednesday November 26, 2003