Theatre review: The Hotel

Published on Monday 17 August 2009 21:07

**** ASSEMBLY @ GEORGE STREET (VENUE 3)

AS A site-specific interactive theatre comedy, this show initially takes a bit of getting used to. After meeting at the Assembly Rooms and being trooped around to a secret multi-level townhouse location on Queen Street, "guests" are personally handed a room key and directed around the building by a team of porters who are almost evangelical in their bright-eyed enthusiasm.

That members of the burgundy-waistcoated staff are also recognisable as 'him off that thing on telly' and 'her that was in the Fringe show you saw last week' adds to the rather uncanny ambience.

Written and directed by Mark Watson, never a man to satisfy himself with just the typical hour-of-gags comedy format at the Fringe, this shop ropes in an array of fellow comedians to staff the titular hotel (which has offered "classic modern comfort" since 1996 and is, as a certificate in the TV lounge so proudly boasts, the recipient of a commendation for Most Improved Safety).

Expect to recognise Anna Crilly, Dan Atkinson, Idiots of Ants and Tim Key on your tour, and a neat comedy-within-a-comedy touch in the cabaret room downstairs sees Fringe acts like Marcel Lucont get up and perform a bit of their own set.

Each of the many rooms is home to its own set piece or installation. For example, the kitchen hosts a silent comedy routine from a pair of squalid and violent chefs, the IT room allows an opportunity to browse the building's pre-designed website and the breakfast room invites the patron to select from a menu of esoteric interactive delights, including a cracker-eating contest, a comedy serenade or some daft jokes for the kids.

Presiding over all with a clipboard and a sharp manner with his staff is Watson, ever-alert to health and safety matters of concern. Guests are free to browse, although the audience is very subtly guided towards the stairwell (where the plaques of famous guests who are "yet to visit" rather desperately feature Helen Mirren twice) for a noisy finale involving embittered owner Charlie Rowland (Andy Foster). Meticulously timed and offering a whole new show behind every door, The Hotel is perfectly unlike any other comedy you'll see this August.

• Until 31 August. Today 4:15pm