The Hothouse

Synopsis

It's Christmas Day in a nameless state-run mental institution where the inmates are subjected to a tirade of mindless cruelty. A maniacal and self-obsessed leader breeds a contagion of hierarchical savagery amongst his staff, who thrive on a noxious diet of delusion and deceit. Under a veil of devilish wit and subversive humour, Pinter's biting political commentary on the perils of unchecked power is as vital and pertinent today as when it was written in the 50's.'

Our Review:

19 July 2007

Although Harold Pinter’s second play has been recognised as a “lost” treasure – it was written in 1958, put aside and first produced at Hampstead Theatre in 1980 – Ian Rickson’s production at the National still carries considerable shock value.

This black comic tale of life, death and torture in a repressive state institution around Christmas time is weirdly prophetic. Pinter had volunteered as a “guinea pig” at the Maudsley Hospital and received electric shock treatment. How might such “treatment” be deployed in the wrong hands?

In The Hothouse, we see the institution’s lock-tester, Lamb (Leo Bill), losing confidence in his job, then his mind, before having his brains fried in a soundproof room. The boss, Roote (Stephen Moore), is pondering the death of one prisoner and the birth of an unexpected child to another. There are discrepancies. It's also snowing. The building itself is echoing with sighs and groans (and a cheerless jazz score, betwe...

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Latest User Review

David Baxter - 6 September 2007:

Gareth James, a regular contributor to this site, has now repeated the ultimate heresy - is Harold Pinter overrrated? Well Gareth, I have to agree with you, albeit I suspect based on less experience than yours. The Hothouse is undoubtedly chilling but ultimately what is the point? State-run institutions are a bad thing especially when the lunatics are running the asylum. It was certainly not worth battling against the cursed tube strike just for that. ...

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