Hole! at Soho Theatre: A Filthy Musical Fable That Enchants
Jake Brasch and Nadja Leonhard-Hooper deliver a surprisingly enchanting performance in Hole!, a filthy musical fable running at Soho Theatre in London. The 80-minute show, written and performed by the duo known as American Sing Song, blends vivid storytelling, fine musicianship, and live foley artistry to create a unique theatrical experience.
Plot: A Sci-Fi Twist on a Christian Sect
The story follows a god-fearing Christian sect in rural Nebraska. In a racy sci-fi twist, members are forced to wear butt plugs to avoid being sucked up into the ether during an apocalyptic event called The Great Sucking. Only those plugged survive. The bulk of the narrative follows teen friends Connor (Leonhard-Hooper) and Luke (Brasch) as they venture out of their corn-fed community to find and de-plug members of a gay community, effectively killing them. However, a sexual awakening leads the boys to reconsider their conservative theocracy.
Performance: Artistry and Synchronization
Brasch and Leonhard-Hooper stand behind a worktop resembling a spaceship, with hair twisted into gaping holes above their heads. They switch between characters seamlessly, manipulating an array of sound-making tools to create every pop, suck, and ominous whoosh. Their between-scenes swigs from comically large water bottles are synchronized. The songs are witty earworms with x-rated lyrics, accompanied by Brasch on keys, giving the show a jaunty musical feel. In one number, Leonhard-Hooper performs a tap interlude using her hands to maneuver shoes.
Critical Reception: Fringe Theatre at Its Best
According to the review, Hole! is “impish and brimming with originality,” representing “fringe theatre at its most scintillating and inventive.” The duo's ability to make every innuendo land, sometimes in harmony, ensures the show is surprisingly enchanting despite its filthy premise.
