Hotel, Polly Stenham, The Shed Theatre

When you’re lauded as the theatre’s best new talent before even reaching 21, the future can seem stifling. But playwright Polly Stenham has risen to the pressure of expectation with aplomb. After catapulting to fame with her debut, That Face (which premiered at The Royal Court in 2007) Stenham won the title of Most Promising Playwright at the Critics’ Circle Award. The success of her subsequent two plays, Tusk Tusk and No Quarter, has garnered much anticipation for Stenman’s latest project.

Hotel translates her fresh voice into a more distant setting. This is the thrilling tale of a tropical island paradise that is anything but edenic. Stenham builds a captivating world of veneers and facades to explore the value of integrity. Expect intrigue, depth and the absorbing dialogue for which she has become known.

The theme of unveiling illusions will be well managed by director Maria Aberg. Known for creativity and controversy, she caught critics’ attention by casting the bastard King John as a woman in the 2012 RSC adaptation. Aberg’s focus on innovative staging rather than conservatism makes her an exciting creative match for Stenham’s script.

The promising young cast includes Susan Wokoma who also started her stage career young at the National Youth Theatre and performed in the BAFTA winning BBC drama That Summer Day.  

This is a must see performance from a promising young playwright who has established herself as worthy of all the attention she has already received. Culture Whisper predicts that this show will more than live up to the hype.