To say that Hole is possibly one of the most bonkers shows at the Fringe is a bold statement, but I think it may be up there. However, please don’t read bonkers as bad, far from it in this case!
Hole is the story of a cult… sorry, religious organisation who, following an apparition to their pastor, wear butt plugs at all times to keep them from getting sucked away. Whilst some have their doubts, it is soon proven to be true and Luke, the pastor’s son, and his best friend Connor soon set out on a mission to rid the rest of the world of any non-believers and rip out their butt plugs!
What, on the face of it, is a ridiculous story is actually a queer coming-of-age story. Beneath the layers of butt plugs and iron toilets is a story about friendship and family. Written and performed by Jake Brasch and Nadja Leonhard-Hooper, they craft the book so the audience is both invested and intrigued throughout the show, not only to find out what is behind the Great Suckings but also in the relationship between Luke and Connor.
The show is not set up in the format of a traditional musical. Brasch and Leonhard-Hooper are positioned behind an array of instruments and other objects throughout the show and use these to make sound effects, as well as accompany themselves as they narrate and, at times, embody the characters. Interestingly, I didn’t miss a set or even the more naturalistic way of acting out the scenes, due to both Brasch and Leonhard-Hooper’s storytelling ability and the way that, when they jumped into playing one of the characters, they did so with such commitment that I was completely enthralled by their portrayal.
They are able to portray a huge number of different roles, from our heroes Luke and Connor, to their mothers and members of the Cincinnati Daddies, and embody them so brilliantly that it is easy to distinguish who they are portraying at any given moment. The two also have brilliant chemistry, bouncing off each other and exchanging quick glances and smiles as the show progresses, seemingly thrilled with their reception from the audience.
The songs are as bonkers as the premise and absolutely packed full of innuendo. ‘Two Boys, One Ass’, ‘Clench’ and ‘The Gay Test’ are the names of just a small selection of the songs. The lyrics, whilst not for the prudish, are witty and had the audience laughing out loud for most of the show. The effects created by Leonhard-Hooper as Brasch plays keys are remarkably clever, including one tap interlude with the tap shoes on her hands.
Hole shouldn’t work. On paper, a musical about butt plugs, religious zealots and the Great Suckings sounds like it could become little more than a collection of increasingly ridiculous jokes. Instead, Brasch and Leonhard-Hooper have created a show that is genuinely funny whilst also telling a surprisingly heartfelt story about friendship, family and finding your place in the world. It is completely bonkers, undeniably queer and an enormous amount of fun — exactly the sort of unexpected theatrical experience that makes the Fringe so brilliant.
Hole is on at Underbelly Bristo Square at 21:30-22:50 each day. You can find out more on their website.
If you like this review you might also like my review of Texas Annie, Girlhood In the Bathroom and Acid’s Reign.