Claybody Theatre’s latest touring production, The Grand Babylon Hotel, is based on Arnold Bennett’s 1902 book of the same name about a hotel, of which was a thinly disguised version of the Savoy in London, Bennett’s favourite hotel. This adaptation by Deborah McAndrew is a fast paced high-stakes romp that manages to make the Edwardian era feel less like a stuffy history lesson and more like a fever dream fuelled by soft cheese and high-grade energy drinks.
The story follows Theodore Racksole, a multi-millionaire American who, in a move that screams ‘I have more money than sense’, buys one of London’s most prestigious hotels simply because the waiter refused to serve his daughter a steak and a bottle of Bass ale.
What follows is a delightfully convoluted conspiracy involving murder, kidnapped German princes, secret societies, and a criminal mastermind. It’s a ‘whodunnit’ wrapped in a ‘why-are-they-doing-it,’ served with a side of class-conscious wit.
The creative team uses their spatial constraints with a sort of frantic brilliance. The staging is minimalist yet evocative, relying on sharp lighting and a versatile cast to transform a few props into the gilded hallways of a luxury hotel.
The performances are where the production truly earns its praise:
Theodore Racksole (Bill Champion): Played with a boisterous, ‘can-do’ American arrogance that is surprisingly charming. He treats an international assassination plot with the same casual irritation most people reserve for a delayed train.
Nella Racksole (Alice Pryor) is not your typical Edwardian damsel. She’s sharp, proactive, and seemingly the only person in the building with a functioning moral compass. Her physical nuances truly brings depth to the character.
Special mention must go to the supporting cast, although ‘supporting cast’ isn’t the right term, it’s three other stunning actors who play a multitude of brilliant & hilarious characters. Their ability to switch hats, literally, to denote a change in rank or nationality is a masterclass in frantic efficiency. The breaking of the fourth wall a couple of times at the perfect moments were simply genius.
The pacing is relentless. At times, the plot moves so quickly that if you blink to clear your eyes, you might miss three betrayals and a minor diplomatic crisis. It’s ‘prestige’ drama with a wink and a nudge, acknowledging that while the stakes are life and death, the whole thing is fundamentally ridiculous. Although a slightly slow start, it didn’t take too long for the audience to tap into the humour, the silliness and the damn right brilliance of the performance. It was a funny, enjoyable play with a dazzling cast, who’s timing and infectious joy made it a wonderful night at the theatre.
Cast:
Shelly Atkinson
Bill Champion
Thomas Cotran
Michael Hugo
Alice Pryor
The Grand Hotel Babylon is playing at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester until Sunday 29th March. Click here for more information.
Photos: Andrew Billington