Review: HOUSE OF LIFE, Soho Theatre
On the Soho theatre website, Sheep Soup’s fringe smash-hit show, House of Life, is described as “one-part sermon, one-part purge, three-parts party” and, having read that, you’d be forgiven as an audience member for wondering…what exactly are we signing up for here? Well, it’s quite simple. With the guidance of the ‘RaveRend’ (Ben Welch) and their accompanying technical assistant/everyman, Trev (Laurence Cole), audiences embark on an unforgettable journey to “ascend” to the state of (the ever elusive) ‘happiness’.
It is hard to put into words ‘what’ happens at the House of Life. It feels like to write about it in too much detail would spoil some of the somewhat dizzying, euphoric, hysterical almost psychedelically pleasurable ride. Moreover, it seems clear that the creators, Sheep Soup, wish the show to be a communal experience, and to share the ins and outs of the show would do a disservice to Sheep Soup’s goal to create a space of shared joy. However, audiences should expect chickens, thoroughly entertaining audience participation, genuine moments of musical genius and to top it all off, a cathartic “purge”. If that sounds like a lot, that’s because it is! House of Life is unapologetically audacious, with an extravagant light and sound design, a sequined vestment and a slightly unhinged PowerPoint presentation.
House of Life almost creates its own genre of art that seems to exist somewhere between drag, performance art, theatre, karaoke, clowning and, well, just partying.
It is a wonderful, rare and somewhat confronting experience to leave the theatre and witness a sea of genuine beams on audience members’ faces and more than that, an established sense of connection between punters. It is truly delightful to see theatre that puts entertainment and connection at the forefront of its creation, while the underlying message that life is hard enough, so we all deserve joy, happiness and self-esteem is never lost. Indeed, throughout this somewhat deliciously nonsensical theatrical treat, audiences find that House of Life seems to make a lot of sense indeed.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Nancy Brie
House of Life plays at Soho Theatre, Dean Street, London until 6 July, with further info here.
