A rumble vibrates throughout the theatre, making the seats in the house tremble beneath the audience. A bright red light fills the space, and a low, grueling sound plays, almost suffocating the eardrums. It is a visceral experience that generates an unexpected combination of unease and passion – two sensations that are reverberated in "The Hothouse," by Harold Pinter.
This dark comedy depicts a mental institution run by the government, involving a wildly animated commander Roote (Josh Clark), his mistress Cutts (Melanie Lora), and Roote's attendant Gibbs (Leo Marks), who is also romantically involved with Cutts. As Harold Pinter's absurdist play approaches its fortieth anniversary of conception, The Antaeus Theatre Company's production of "The Hothouse," directed by Nike Doukas, delivers a message that persists throughout the decades. This dark comedy is a twisted satire of the corruption of political institutions, and investigates the means by which power is gained and lost. Despite some ambiguities in the plot, the play expertly manifests this political commentary in the quirks of the individual characters.
The Antaeus Theatre Company takes pride in its practice of double casting. For this performance, the Pelicans cast took the stage – an impressive ensemble of actors.
A particularly remarkable performance that deserves its own standing ovation is that of Marks as Gibbs. Marks has a complete mastery of his voice and body – as well as his perfectly posh British accent. With a slight tilt of his head, or a sharp click of his pen, Gibbs' thoughts and intentions are immediately made clear. His actions are not limited by the demands of the Theatre of the Absurd. Rather, he overflows with nuances that make the character both hilarious and believable. Gibbs' transformation from beginning to end is a clever combination of wickedness and comedy, and satiates the thirst for a sense of unpredictability that the play lacks.
Not to say that there aren't expected moments. A couple of drinks are thrown here and there, and some fun language is sprinkled in (It's not every day that the phrase "Standing there like a tit in a trance" is exclaimed). The sounds that sound designer Jeff Gardner incorporates into the show are very affecting; At times, the bass grows so intense that it rocks the seats, transcending the play into a four-dimensional experience.
"The Hothouse" lands carefully close on the line between abstraction and confusion, but its company of actors and designers successfully pull it out of the fire.
You can contact Contributing Writer Shelby Corley here.
"The Hothouse" is playing through March 11th at the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center (110 E Broadway, Glendale). Tickets are $30-$34. For more information visit www.antaeus.org.