February 2, 2012
University of Oxford Student Company Illyria Productions performed a hilarious, laugh a minute version of Harold Pinter’s play.
A black comedy set in a "rest room" for patients in an unspecified institution, The Hothouse deals with serious issues, such as the death of a patient, and the impregnation of another female resident by a member of staff (the identity of whom remains a bit of a mystery). Written in 1958, the work stands the test of time, still captivating and moving the audience all these years later. The actors use old style proper English received pronunciation in their dialogue, which adds to the wit.
The majority of the most amusing and clever scenes take place in the office of Roote, the institution's manager (whose sanity is at times questionable), between himself, Gibbs and Lush. Gibbs, played by Ziad Samaha, really captures the essence of this power-hungry and ambitious character, while Matt Gavan plays the erratic and slightly insane ex-colonel Roote. Gavan gives an entertaining performance and is at the centre of most of the comedy moments. Everything from the way he carries himself on stage, to the quick-witted exchanges with others has clearly been thought about by Gavan. Jordan Waller plays the alcoholic Lush, involved in one of the most memorable scenes, in which he and Roote engage in some serious drinking whilst mostly discussing the weather. The repetition of their conversation and the sheer absurdity of it provides the audience with some great laughs.
The acting wasn’t the only impressive element of this play; the set also surpassed expectations. The stage was divided into two main rooms, laid out on a split level, with most scenes either taking place in Roote’s office or in the staffroom. There were also screens at the back of the stage, as though it were a control room containing CCTV cameras. These were used throughout as characters disappeared off stage to enter another room, or to show their arrival on stage. Director Jamie Macdonagh deserves a credit.
This was a tremendously funny performance of The Hothouse, with the audience in stitches throughout. Well worth a watch!
A black comedy set in a "rest room" for patients in an unspecified institution, The Hothouse deals with serious issues, such as the death of a patient, and the impregnation of another female resident by a member of staff (the identity of whom remains a bit of a mystery). Written in 1958, the work stands the test of time, still captivating and moving the audience all these years later. The actors use old style proper English received pronunciation in their dialogue, which adds to the wit.
The majority of the most amusing and clever scenes take place in the office of Roote, the institution's manager (whose sanity is at times questionable), between himself, Gibbs and Lush. Gibbs, played by Ziad Samaha, really captures the essence of this power-hungry and ambitious character, while Matt Gavan plays the erratic and slightly insane ex-colonel Roote. Gavan gives an entertaining performance and is at the centre of most of the comedy moments. Everything from the way he carries himself on stage, to the quick-witted exchanges with others has clearly been thought about by Gavan. Jordan Waller plays the alcoholic Lush, involved in one of the most memorable scenes, in which he and Roote engage in some serious drinking whilst mostly discussing the weather. The repetition of their conversation and the sheer absurdity of it provides the audience with some great laughs.
The acting wasn’t the only impressive element of this play; the set also surpassed expectations. The stage was divided into two main rooms, laid out on a split level, with most scenes either taking place in Roote’s office or in the staffroom. There were also screens at the back of the stage, as though it were a control room containing CCTV cameras. These were used throughout as characters disappeared off stage to enter another room, or to show their arrival on stage. Director Jamie Macdonagh deserves a credit.
This was a tremendously funny performance of The Hothouse, with the audience in stitches throughout. Well worth a watch!