HOLE! ★★★ Soho Theatre, London: Jul 17 - Aug 1, 2026 | Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh: Aug 5 - Aug 30, 2026


The delightfully absurd premise of HOLE! centres on a bizarre sect of American Christians who believe that, to be saved at the apocalypse, they must wear a butt plug at all times. Against all expectations, they turn out to be right. The "Great Sucking" removes almost everyone else from Earth, leaving only the cult members and, from their perspective, a handful of questionable additional survivors. After an act of decidedly inappropriate behaviour, the prophet's son Luke and his best friend Connor are dispatched on a quest to rid the world of the butt plug wearers whose reasons for sporting the devices appear to be anything but religious. It is all gleefully outrageous fun, but the premise begins to wear thin and the jokes become increasingly predictable. However, Jake Brasch and Nadja Leonhard-Hooper are excellent as the two friends and the show's gallery of eccentric characters. They slip effortlessly between multiple roles while giving each character a distinct personality. Their comic timing is impeccable and the songs are catchy and consistently amusing. As satires of religious sects go, The Book of Mormon remains the benchmark, and HOLE! often feels like a sketch stretched beyond its natural length. On occasion, the constant narration, coupled with the performers' limited stage space also makes the show seem more like a staged radio comedy rather than a fully realised theatrical production. Even so, HOLE! never loses its commitment to its ludicrous central idea, and there is undeniable pleasure in watching talented performers throw themselves so wholeheartedly into such fearless absurdity. Like its central gag, the show is shamelessly silly, intermittently inspired, and just a little overstretched.

Rated: ★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Jennifer Forward-Hayter / ChewBoy Productions

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: 21 Dean St, London W1D 3NE, UK

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