HOUSE OF LIFE
Soho Theatre
★★★★★
“this is how art can uplift and bring hope in trying times.”
Sheep Soup’s Gospel Church inspired Rave brings joy to the heart of London with this wonderful hour’s worth of music, glitter and audience interaction. An experience that not only aims to bring the audience happiness but succeeds in doing so, in a way that managed to bring a tear to my eye.
The show begins with a fantastic musical number, welcoming the audience to the House of Life. The RaveRend (Ben Welch) guides the audience through the 6 stages of life alongside musical and loop machine genius Trev (Lawrence Cole). He is a powerhouse at singing throughout the musical numbers and incorporated the audience in every step. The most touching moment for me was during the Self-Esteem stage of the show. The RaveRend approaches several audience members asking them if they are attending with a loved one. He then approaches them asking them to say to the audience what they love about them. I was lucky enough to attend this show with my partner, and told the audience how he is the kindest person know. Both he and I teared up and it was an incredibly moving moment for us both. The RaveRend also asked who was there on their own and the chosen individual was invited on stage to sing a song of affirmation. The whole sequence was wildly motivating and it really drove a beautiful sense of community throughout the room.
Self esteem and affirmations was followed by a visualisation section, where the audience are asked about their dream life. It felt like at this point any cynics could be turned into a believer of manifestation and the power of a growth mindset. With the RaveRend’s glitter fuelled optimism and incredible ability to improvise lyrics about your hopes and dreams on the spot, how could you not? The journey is not one note, however. The emotional journey still has its darker parts as the audience recalls the things that annoy them and makes them sad. But we’re invited to let them, because without the lows one can never enjoy the highs.
There’s no doubt that no two performances of this show will ever be the same. You could feel the connection and spark in the room during this show; strangers becoming friends as we were invited to put our hands up and sing together. We were even asked if we wanted glitter to be painted on our face upon arrival. This is how art fosters community, and this is how art can uplift and bring hope in trying times. A must see for all of those who need a little love right now, and those with plenty to share.
HOUSE OF LIFE
Soho Theatre then UK Tour continues
Reviewed on 28th May 2025
by David Robinson
Photography by Mark Senior
For further tour dates and venues click the image below
Last ten shows reviewed at this venue:
JORDAN GRAY: IS THAT A C*CK IN YOUR POCKET, OR ARE YOU JUST HERE TO KILL ME? | ★★★★★ | May 2025
WHAT IF THEY ATE THE BABY? | ★★★★★ | March 2025
WEATHER GIRL | ★★★½ | March 2025
DELUGE | ★★★★ | February 2025
ROB AUTON: THE EYES OPEN AND SHUT SHOW | ★★★½ | February 2025
DEMI ADEJUYIGBE IS GOING TO DO ONE (1) BACKFLIP | ★★★★★ | January 2025
MAKE ME LOOK FIT ON THE POSTER | ★★★★ | January 2025
SANTI & NAZ | ★★★★ | January 2025
BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY | ★★★★ | December 2024
GINGER JOHNSON BLOWS OFF! | ★★★ | September 2024
