Review: Holes at the Arcola Tent

Holes 
Arcola Tent
Reviewed on Monday 21st July 2014
★★★★

A plane crashes in the middle of nowhere and only four passengers survive: three work colleagues and a young girl too afraid to talk. Will they be rescued? Will they be forced to begin a new life? On paper Holes doesn't sound like a comedy, but Phillip Breen's production of Tom Basden's play is surprisingly funny. 

This was my first time seeing a show inside the Arcola Tent (a short distance from the Arcola Theatre). Once inside the space feels very much like a circus tent, providing a totally unique theatrical experience. Holes is perfectly suited to this environment, with the cast of four performing on a suitably sandy stage. 

Sharon Singh as Erin

Holes is the best contemporary off-West End play I have seen for months. Following recent events Holes is frighteningly relevant, but impressively Basden tastefully finds room for humour. The comedy comes from the four contrasting characters who all bring different energies and styles to proceedings. 

Elizabeth Berrington steals the show as HR manager Marie who comes out with some cracking one-liners. Poor Marie never really digests the situation and is far more interested in flirting with Ian. 

Mathew Baynton and Daniel Rigby have strong chemistry as constantly squabbling Gus and Ian. Sharon Singh completes the cast, making a remarkable professional debut as Erin. 

The Arcola Tent is the hottest theatre I have visited so far this summer. I have never been part of such a sweaty audience and I have never looked around and seen so many people fanning themselves with programmes. However, as long as you go prepared Holes is certainly worth the extreme heat, I can't imagine it working so well in any other space. 

Holes works because, as well as being consistently funny throughout, the writing is both intriguing and gripping. Holes takes some dark turns; some twists don't come as a surprise, but others are eye opening. 

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

Holes runs at the Arcola Tent until Saturday 9th August 2014.

Please visit www.holestheplay.com for further information and tickets.

Photo Credit:  Idil Sukan

Follow @West_End_Frame