Hot House

A nightmarish satire by Harold Pinter

“The animal wrests the whip from its master and whips itself in order to become master.” Franz Kafka

The theatre of Harold Pinter bears many similarities to the work of Beckett and Ionesco. We find the same refusal of any form of compromise, and contempt for ideological lecturing. We also encounter a shared musicality in the conception of the dialogues and monologues, structural brutality, and love of the equivocal, this disconcerting form of humour which does not shy away from the tragic, with all its risks

This piece was subject to an uncertain destiny in that it was written by Pinter in 1959, and was then promptly “put aside”, to the extent that Pinter forgot its very existence. He then finally turned his attention back to it 1980, and staged it with great enthusiasm. Hot House is undoubtedly the most violently satirical of all his works. The different characters are the senior staff of an undefined bureaucratic institution. The patients, that we never actually see, are identified by their matriculation numbers. Is it about a nursing home, a hospital, or a concentration camp?

Hot House, a biting satire on power and ambition, which is equally as funny as it is terrifying, is the work of Pinter as a young writer. It fits into the so-called “theatre of menace” genre. In it, Harold Pinter explores, with Kafka-like humour, the permanent, inherent dangers of language (misunderstandings, innuendos, and the non-sensical) as well as the different types of behaviour it induces (paranoia, sado-masochism, and schizophrenia, to name but a few). Dramaticules draws upon the sadistic joviality and explosive atmosphere of this “hot-house”, in which comedy and cruelty go hand-in-hand.

Watch

Useful informations

First performed in 2007
Format Large-scale
On tour From 2007 to 2010
Running time 1h45
Show suitable for audiences Over the age of 12 years old

Pro access

Creative Team

Julien Buchy in the role of Roote
Anthony Courret in the roles of Tubb and Lobb
Noémie Guedj din the role of Miss Cutts
Jérémie Le Louët in the role of Lush
David Maison in the role of Lamb
Laurent Papot in the role of Gibbs

Directed by Jérémie Le Louët
Scenography Virginie Destiné
Costumes Christophe Barthès de Ruyter
Lighting Jean-Luc Chanonat
Stage management Thomas Chrétien or Xavier Hulot

Partners

Produced by Les Dramaticules

Co-produced by Arcadi (Action régionale pour la création artistique et la diffusion en Île-de-France), Le Théâtre de Cachan–Jacques Carat (94), Le Théâtre de Rungis (94), Les Théâtres Charenton-le-Pont/Saint-Maurice (94)

With development aid from DRAC Île-de-France, Conseil général du Val de Marne, Adami and Communauté d’agglomération du Val de Bièvre

Reviews

“It soon dawns upon us that we are witnessing work of immense rhythmic quality, and which goes beyond mere formal prowess. On the contrary, it is proof of an intricate understanding of the text, staged in a highly intelligent manner.”
Eve Beauvallet – Mouvement – July 2018

“A masterful production, constantly alternating between comedy and cruelty, and which succeeds in distilling all the uneasiness of this satire on power.”
Gwenola David – La Terrasse – July 2008

“The actors are directed with consummate precision, and there is great clarity in the way the piece is staged. Jérémie Le Louët once again gives us proof of his – monumental – talent, the likes of which we sampled in Macbett by Ionesco. Undeniably gifted.”
Le Dauphiné libéré – Sophie Bauret – July 2008

“Dramaticules clearly is a company to be watched out for. The production is funny, grating, offbeat, cynical and frightening. What else can you say? Pitch-perfect.”
Audrey Moullintraffort – La Provence – July 2018

Former tours

On 05/11/2009 at 20h30 at the Relais culturel in Thann (68)

On 07/11/2009 at 20h30 at the l’Illiade in Illkirch-Graffenstaden (67)

On 10/11/2009 at 20h30 at the Tanzmatten in Sélestat (67)

On 12/11/2009 at 20h30 at the MAC Robert Lieb in Bischwiller (67)

On 14/11/2009 at 20h30 at the Préo in Oberhausbergen (67)

On 26/11/2009 at 20h30 at the Salle Georges Brassens in Lunel (34)

On 28/11/2009 at 20h30 at the Théâtre Jacques Coeur in Lattes (34)

On 01/12/2009 at 20h15 at the MJC de Rodez (12)

On 03/12/2009 at 14h00 at the Treize Arches in Brive-la-Gaillarde (19)

On 03/12/2009 at 20h00 at the Treize Arches in Brive-la-Gaillarde (19)

On 09/12/2009 at 20h30 at the Gare du Midi in Biarritz (64)

On 11/12/2009 at 20h30 at the Atrium in Dax (40)

On 17/12/2009 at 20h30 at the Théâtre de Saint-Maur (94)

On 15/01/2010 at 20h30 at the Espace culturel Saint-André in Abbeville (80)

On 20/01/2010 at 20h30 at the Théâtre de Valère in Sion (Switzerland)

On 21/10/2008 at 20h30 at the Salle Benoit XII in Avignon (84)

On 07/11/2008 at 20h00 at the Salle Jacques Brel in Fontenay-sous-Bois (94)

On 08/11/2008 at 20h00 at the Salle Jacques Brel in Fontenay-sous-Bois (94)

On 21/11/2008 at 20h30 at the Théâtre du Casino in Enghien-les-Bains (95)

On 03/12/2008 at 20h30 at the Théâtre Gérard Philippe in Orléans (45)

On 10/04/2009 at 20h30 at the Espace Lino Ventura in Garges-lès-Gonesse (95)

On 28/04/2009 at 20h30 at the Espace Dispan de Floran in L’Haÿ-les-Roses (94)

On 04/06/2009 at 20h30 as part of the Festival in Ermenonville (60)

On 04/12/2007 at 20h00 at the Théâtre de Cachan – Jacques Carat (94)

On 05/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre de Cachan – Jacques Carat (94)

On 06/12/2007 at 20h00 at the Théâtre de Cachan – Jacques Carat (94)

On 11/12/2007 at 20h00 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 12/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 13/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 14/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 15/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 16/12/2007 at 16h00 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 18/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 19/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 20/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 21/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 22/12/2007 at 20h30 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 23/12/2007 at 16h00 at the Théâtre des 2 Rives in Charenton-le-Pont (94)

On 15/01/2008 at 20h30 at the ATP de Poitiers (86)

On 18/01/2008 at 20h30 at the Espace Jean Vilar in Arcueil (94)

On 19/01/2008 at 20h30 at the Espace Saint-Exupéry in Franconville (78)

On 25/01/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre Le Nickel in Rambouillet (78)

On 31/01/2008 at 20h30 at the Centre culturel René Char in Digne-les-Bains (04)

On 08/02/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre Brétigny scène conventionnée du Val d’Orge in Brétigny-sur-Orge (91)

On 09/02/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre Brétigny scène conventionnée du Val d’Orge in Brétigny-sur-Orge (91)

On 27/03/2008 at 20h00 at the Espace Culturel André Malraux in Kremlin-Bicêtre (94)

On 28/03/2008 at 20h00 at the Espace Culturel André Malraux in Kremlin-Bicêtre (94)

On 29/03/2008 at 21h00 at the Théâtre de Rungis (94)

On 10/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 11/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 12/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 13/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 14/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 15/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 16/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 17/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 18/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 19/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 20/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 21/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 22/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 23/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 24/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 25/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 26/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 27/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 28/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 29/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 30/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 31/07/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 01/08/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

On 02/08/2008 at 20h00 at the Théâtre du Balcon in Avignon (84)

Watch

Useful informations

First performed in 2007
Format Large-scale
On tour From 2007 to 2010
Running time 1h45
Show suitable for audiences Over the age of 12 years old

Pro access