Hats Off to the Hot Tap
VICTORIA KINGHAM
It has to be said that in the three months since we last reported on Dean Stalham’s new little theatre Top Hat (oops, sorry, Hot Tap) it has made creditable progress. The semi-derelict upstairs area has been transformed into a shabby-chic boho space with comfortable sofas and a proper 1950s bar; the ‘wallpaper’ made of endless idols from old comics (remember those – when you had a pullout hunk in the middle of your weekly copy of Valentine?) has been extended to upstairs, and there’s a one-way system which obliges you, once you’re inside, to exit the building via the stairs, the bar, and the balcony into the mellow evening. The small stage and all the walls are painted black – there’s a cool, almost beatnik atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Francis Saunders’ theatre workshop has been active, getting together his play The Tenant 2, which was shown in its original form at The Stables nearly two years ago. It’s an interesting play – the protagonist, a writer, confronts his demons in front of us and, while they circle round him, the rather heartrending play of his own life emerges while he himself suffers from an alcohol-induced writer’s block.
The small theatre, which seats perhaps 60 people, was full. There is a plan for tiered seating – it’s difficult to see through the sea of heads from the back – but I didn’t really mind standing. The acoustics of the place are slightly dull, which makes voice projection a little difficult; nevertheless every word was audible and the actors gave it their all. Saunders is superb in the character of a menacing alter-ego. The dialogue occasionally makes for difficult listening; like another of Saunders’ plays, Barred, it pulls no punches and is often extremely basic – but it’s very real and very close to home.
The Tenant 2 was performed at the Hot Tap theatre, St Andrews Mews, on 25 and 26 July. Proceeds from the play went to the Baton of Hope suicide prevention charity. Producer and Director: Francis Saunders. Cast: Steve – Liam Rowley, Rosie – Jayne Reid, Jess – Bianca Eichler, Tina – Lisa Harmer, Mr Shaft – Jamie DeAth. HOT TAP actually stands for Helen of Troy Theatre and Performance.
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