House of Life, Soho Theatre Review
Written by Penny for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.
The House of Life has arrived at London’s Soho Theatre ahead of a return to the Edinburgh Fringe, where its sold out run had rave reviews last summer. And talking of rave … this show is hosted by its very own “RaveRend” and is described as “one-part sermon, one-part purge, three-parts party”. It aims to get you happy. At any cost.
It’s a tall order in our cynical society but the Raverend (Ben Welch) and his sidekick Trev (Laurence Cole) throw everything they’ve got into spreading a little happiness. As soon as he takes to the stage, the Raverend has an infectious energy, immediately breaking down barriers with the audience. He loves us and wants us all to know it. On the surface, the show follows the style of an evangelical Christian church service – it’s all positive affirmation and urging us to believe in ourselves and visualise the dream lives we want to live. But the inclusion of a banging soundtrack, quickly improvised rhyme, dance breaks, plenty of audience participation and, er, chickens – all delivered by our host with his glittery beard and a twinkle in his eyes – definitely brings the promised party.
Sidekick Trev is, again on the surface, the straight man but he’s so much more than just a stooge. He’s a great musician – whether he’s singing, playing sax, bass guitar, keys or making magic with a loop pedal to amplify the Raverend and the audience’s words of wisdom – his talent is at odds with the downbeat persona he initially shows us, and it’s very effective.
Sections in which audience members were asked to share what they loved about the person they’d come along with, or their future aspirations, did feel like they went on a little too long. But the pay off, with the Raverend improvising rhymes about what they’d said, was very well done.
Ultimately the show’s success depends on the willingness of the audience to let themselves go and join in with the madness. This never feels forced and it’s all done with love. But at times this did fall a bit flat as a few people were a little reluctant to get involved and this did interrupt the flow of the performance. But it is to the credit of the actors on stage that they very quickly got things back on track, with the energy going straight back up again.
As the hour progresses, the audience’s involvement goes from the silly to the cathartic and ends with a group celebration. Nobody is left behind and it looks like mission accomplished for the House of Life – everybody leaves smiling.
With the Home Nations not exactly setting Euro 2024 alight, General Election fatigue well and truly kicking in and hopes of a great British summer of sunshine fading fast, House of Life could well be the dopamine boost we all need right now.
House of Life is running at Soho Theatre, Dean Street until Saturday 6th July and then at the Edinburgh Fringe from 1st – 25th August 2024.
★ ★ ★ ★
