Review of ‘HOLE!’: “Weak arse-nal turns promising comedy into a bummer”

It’s exactly what you’re thinking about. The reason why you were thinking about it is between you and your therapist, however. But yes — this is a show about orifices. The kind we all have. The kind we all use. And the kind some of us have learned to use in a different yet pleasurable manner. Not surprisingly, religion plays a big role in this story. A story about acceptance, self-discovery, bonding — and bondage. A story that’s unlikely to stir your insights, but it’s nonetheless fun to watch, although it will never top those that came before it.

Our tale begins in some small rural community in North America. The local priest has had an epiphany over a random dream, which he believes to have been sent by God himself. The apocalypse is coming. And there’s only one way to avoid eternal damnation and being sucked into the stratosphere and into nonexistence: butt plugs — preferably, made of wood.

Albeit crazy to some, reality will soon prove the minister right. With one tiny exception: a group of sinners that still walk the face of the earth because Satan warned them of what was to come. They’re commonly known as homosexuals. And it will be the clergyman’s son and his best friend’s duty to visit the unholy land and release the world from their misdeeds and depravity — even if that involves a little fingering and butt play. If that wasn’t clear (and graphic) enough, they have to take the plugs off their bums.

It’s a stupid premise. But don’t get me wrong, I love stupid. Not only do I love it, but I firmly believe that it takes the most intelligent creatives to come up with the most idiotic entertainment. Sadly, this is not the case. Although HOLE! had it in it to give audiences the ride of their lives, the sensation it eventually leaves us with is rather flaccid. Overall, it doesn’t erect an engaging narrative. And there’s a lot of dysfunction to take care of.

In general, the comedy struggles to land. Not because it’s necessarily unfunny, but because it’s extremely predictable. You can guess the punchlines even before the setup is finished. And most of them aren’t too good to begin with anyway. The double entendres are lazy and overused. There’s no element of shock, inventiveness, or wit in its humour. And on the whole, it’s rimmed with a formulaic essence that prevents audiences from getting into it.

The same applies to its pathos. It’s not penetrating enough. You might be touched by some parts of it. But I find it hard to believe anyone will be mercilessly drilled by its poignancy. There’s simply not that much, apart from some mechanical attempts that follow a pre-made blueprint rather than instinct. As a result, it doesn’t make us feel much. And the sole way to get through the evening is to fake it.

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The songs are tuneful but excessively derivative. The show’s satirical nature gives that flaw a pass, as there might be some intention behind it. But even with that in mind, most melodies are too similar and can only be classified as vaudevillian or contemporary musical theatre. Consequently, the appeal dissipates, and a sense of monotony takes over. The lyrics are sharper during some sections, but some other excerpts are quite sloppy. All of that makes the repertoire come across as unmemorable at best and tedious at worst.

We can appreciate the cast’s compelling talent, which brims with effortless showmanship. Foley effects- some of them exceedingly ingenious -, an old keyboard, and lots of performative resourcefulness make their rendition utterly triumphant. Their renditions teem with magnetism as well as contagious joy and love for what they’re doing. And for the most part, they excel at it, too.

Despite some amusing tongue-in-cheekness, HOLE! fails to get its face out of its ass by delivering a comedy that, although conceptually powerful, is poorly executed. Although something solid is growing in it, its inability to pump any substance is what makes it struggle to fill the audience up. I don’t want to be a dick, nor do I intend to be too anal about it, but it’s only fair to say this one felt rather thick — and not in a good way.

HOLE! plays at London’s Soho Theatre until 1 August, followed by Edinburgh’s Underbelly Cowbarn from 5 to 30 August. Tickets for the London run are available on the following link, while tickets for the Edinburgh run can be purchased here.

By Guillermo Nazara