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The
Victorian Hotel
pushes the envelope on the theater stage.
SANTA MONICA,
CA - If searching for a play on ghosts mixed in an extremely clever
use of puppets, then search no more. Premiering at the Powerhouse
Theater is Angus Oblong's new play The Victorian Hotel.
Fans familiar
with Angus Oblong are already aware of his twisted sense of humor. For
those not familiar, it is strongly suggested that you buy a ticket and
to expect the unexpected.
Directed by
Mark Valdez, The Victorian Hotel tells the ghostly tale of a
young couple as they check into a weekend getaway hotel. However, the
hotel is filled with ghosts from top to bottom –These delightful and
frightful ghosts have agendas all their own, which places the lives of
the new guests in jeopardy. The show brings spirits to life with the
most excellent use of puppetry. Puppets that are very faithful to the
vision of Angus Oblong’s art. It’s this showcase that seemingly
deserves an award of some kind.
In
terms of story, The Victorian Hotel has the best act one
in town: hands down. As soon as the show begins, the audience is
zapped into this creepy story. The ghosts are captivating to watch and
literally steal the thunder from the mortals. At intermission, it is
strongly suggested that children under the age of 16 go home or visit
the local ice cream store just around the corner with a supervised
adult. Angus Oblong’s story of endangered and manipulated mortals
travels down a dark sexual path. True to form, Angus Oblong has
obviously tried his best to stray from the norm. There are some acts
displayed on stage that are a tad too twisted to discuss. Those who
are not used to such situations will no doubt sit in silence and
wonder what happened to the show that was being presented before
intermission.
Kelly
Pendygraft and John Crawford are strong performers as the seemingly
happily married couple Claudia and Winston. They play extremely well
off each other and display wonderful comedic timing. The Dead Girl,
played by Michelle Zambora, has proved to be an early audience
favorite. Another hilarious standout is the Bellboy Ghost played by
Radick Cembrzynski.
The
Victorian Hotel is to be seen for its inventive storytelling and
the display of art from Angus Oblong. Buy a ticket, and allow yourself
to enter the haunting and hilarious world of Angus Oblong.
The
Victorian Hotel is ghostly
fun.
- Adrian
Rennie
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