In Hotel Paradiso, Lost in Translation Circus have devised a fun-filled family show, packed with inventive comedy and dazzling physical skills. The Hotel Paradiso is run-down and facing bankruptcy; will it be rescued by its delightful if slightly dotty staff, or will it fall into the hands of the ruthless Banker? The cast of six cleverly weave demonstrations of their circus artistry into this narrative, while managing to stay in character, and there are many breath-taking sequences to gasp at. For example, when urgently called upon to clean the place up, Talia the chambermaid carries out her chores with gravity-defying bravery and extraordinary flexibility, particularly when dusting a perilously high chandelier. Hugo the bell-hop helps to set a table while juggling bottles in increasing complex ways, and there’s a dangerous-looking sequence that gives a whole new meaning to the idea of ‘stackable’ chairs.
A quite brilliant comic highlight features ‘Madame’, the owner of the hotel who, we gather, likes a drop of vino. She is desperate to pour herself a drink, but mysteriously her attempts to do so are thwarted by a hula-hoop that appears to have a mind of its own. Just when it seems she might have got the better of it, more hula-hoops arrive on the scene, spinning around her arms, neck, waist and legs as she continued to try to fill her glass. One can only guess at the hundreds of hours of practice that must lie behind such a seemingly effortless display.
Hotel Paradiso features a splendidly jaunty, quirky musical score by renowned multi-instrumentalist Roger Eno, which effectively underpins the rhythm and energy of the on-stage activity. Last night’s performance was a sell-out, and it was pleasing to see how many young children were in the audience. Lost in Translation Circus clearly enjoyed presenting this show at Circomedia, which offers a wonderful performance space. We will surely see this very talented troupe return to Portland Square before too long. ★★★★☆ Mike Whitton 12th April 2019
