The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

Hotel at the Shed

Hotel at the Shed | Theatre review
6 June 2014
Mark Sempill
Avatar
Mark Sempill
6 June 2014

Polly Stenham’s gripping play Hotel takes place in a single room of a luxury holiday villa. It tells the story of a family who have escaped to a remote Kenyan island on vacation following a public scandal that has caught out the father sending lewd messages to a girl he met online. The ensuing public attention has resulted in the mother’s resignation from a high-profile political post.

The elegantly written first act relates with a biting sense of humour the tarnished relationship between the parents Vivienne and Robert (played by Hermoine Gulliford and Tom Beard), as well as the effects the scandal has had on their two teenage children Ralph and Frankie (Tom Rhys Harries and Shannon Tarbet). The plot thickens when Ralph reveals to his father the truth behind everything that has happened. But before he and Robert are able to make amends, the entire family find themselves held hostage by a pair of terrorists (Ntonga Mwanza and Susan Wokoma) who want revenge for the implications of a certain trades treaty signed by Vivienne that have taken their toll on the local economy and environment.

The second act is a frightening, action-packed enactment of a hostage situation, with guns fired, walls knocked down, fire burning, violence and blood, that thanks to a talented cast, skilled direction (Maria Aberg) and impressive pyrotechnics make you believe, despite the limitations of live theatre, in the unpleasant drama that unfolds before you. Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Stenham’s play explores the relationship between act and consequence. Each character must deal with the aftermath of their decisions, however innocently they were made. First Robert’s “innocent” online flirtation, to Ralph’s childish prank, to Vivienne’s well-meaning signing of the treaty. Even Nala – the vengeful terrorist disguised as a hotel maid must deal with the consequences of her actions after her plan backfires. Gulliford, who is furnished with the play’s funniest lines deserves special mention as the sarcastic Vivienne in perhaps the show’s most memorable performance, but each member of the cast is wonderful.

Together with Aberg and the lighting and effects team they have created a thrilling piece of theatre that attests to the magic of live theatre, which when each element works together perfectly is just as efficient in suspending the audience’s belief as film.

★★★★★

Mark Sempill

Hotel is at the Shed until 2nd August 2014. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Related Itemsbeliefhostagenational theatrepoliticsreviewscandalshed

More in Theatre

The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre

★★★★★
Natallia Pearmain
Read More

Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre

★★★★★
Jim Compton-Hall
Read More

My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

“When you’re presented with different dilemmas in life, you respond accordingly”: Debbie Kurup on The Cher Show

Mae Trumata
Read More

2:22 A Ghost Story at Criterion Theatre

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

The House of Shades at Almeida Theatre

★★★★★
Csilla Tornallyay
Read More

Grease at Dominion Theatre

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

House of Ife at Bush Theatre

★★★★★
Selina Begum
Read More

Banter Jar at Lion & Unicorn Theatre: “An authentic and timely one-woman show”

★★★★★
Jessica Wall
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Alice Cooper at the O2 Arena
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Decision to Leave (Heojil Kyolshim)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • The Five Devils (Les Cinq Diables)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Stephen Fry enters the Radio Times Hall of Fame in conversation with Alan Yentob at the BFI Imax
    Cinema & Tv
  • Roma Bar Show returns for a second edition in Rome next week
    Food & Drinks
  • Beach House Summer by Sarah Morgan
    ★★★★★
    Literature
  • Alice Cooper at the O2 Arena
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Michael Kiwanuka at Alexandra Palace
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Roma Bar Show returns for a second edition in Rome next week
    Food & Drinks
  • “I wanted to sabotage it”: An interview with Mark Jenkin on Enys Men
    Cannes
  • Alice Cooper at the O2 Arena
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Michael Kiwanuka at Alexandra Palace
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The Innocent (L’Innocent)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • “You don’t need a green screen if you have Tom Cruise”: Miles Teller, Jay Ellis, Greg Davis and Danny Ramirez on Top Gun: Maverick
    Cinema & Tv
  • Metronom
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Julian Clary: Canned Clary at St James | Comedy review
Throwing Snow at Rough Trade East | Live review