The things that people get up to

Hotel, room 101, Rutherford Hotel, Thursday. Nelson Arts Festival. Reviewed by CHARLES ANDERSON.

The last time I spent the evening in a hotel room with 21 other people, it was quite memorable. But not as memorable as this particular Hotel.

The play, set in room 101 of the Rutherford Hotel, is quite unlike any "theatre" I have experienced. And I liked it. Sixteen guests at a time are invited to sit in on a night in the life of five complete strangers.

These five characters go about their evening like nobody is watching but somebody is – the audience, and we are 20cm away.

Who are these people? These people who dine at Hopgood's, visit Natureland and drink Woollaston Estates wine. In truth, they could be anyone.

Anyone could savour a kinky evening behind closed doors. Anyone could spend their one-night stopover getting obliterated on the mini bar, anyone could make good use of the telephone facilities to call adult hotlines. And anyone could misunderstand the situation they find themselves in.

The actors take advantage of that situation, but they don't overdo it. That is to say they are all very good.

A hotel room is no theatre, the acting has to be subtler and sublety is very pointed in room 101. You find yourself feeling almost like a pervert or an uninvited observer, wanting to help (or avert your eyes) in some way if you can.

It is almost a shame that the show can't draw in a bigger audience.

But that would never work. It would miss the point, and the room is simply too small.

The action is up close and personal but the "devisors", as they are known, have realised this experience could only ever be snapshot.

So Hotel is a snapshot that is funny, sad, clever and ultimately as most "theatregoers" said at the end: "Very cool."

I felt closer to those audience members than I think I ever have.

Ever sit in total darkness with an audience of 15, wondering of them: What do you get up to in hotel rooms?

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