Review: The Grand Babylon Hotel at the New Vic, Newcastle-Under-Lyme*

[Ad-gifted] This is a play based on Arnold Bennett’s eponymous novel, adapted for the stage by Deborah McAndrew and produced by New Vic Production in association with  Claybody Theatre.

The author Arnold Bennett is one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most notable figures and was a prolific writer and literary giant of his time. He was born in Hanley in 1867 and later moved to London. The Savoy Hotel was his model for The Grand Babylon Hotel, which was first published in 1902.

The plot revolves around an American millionaire who is visiting London with his daughter, 23-year-old Nella Racksole (Alice Pryor). Unable to get the staff to serve Nella a simple meal of steak and a bottle of beer as a birthday treat, her father Theodore Racksole (Adrian Pang) buys the entire hotel in a bid to get them to comply with his wishes. Shortly after this reckless impulse purchase, strange things start happening at the hotel. The efficient clerk, Miss Spencer (Shelley Atkinson) disappears overnight. The head waiter, Jules (Michael Hugo) is clearly up to more than serving the patrons… a family friend, Mr Dimmock (Thomas Cotran) shows up, is poisoned, then his body disappears. The shenanigans continue with the appearance of the two German royals, Prince Aribert of Posen and his nephew, Prince Eugen. Somebody is clearly intent on murder, the hotel staff aren’t who they seem to be – and the plot thickens when Nella starts investigating and gets kidnapped.

This is a story about criminality and the high life in turn-of-the-century London. It is a fun, light-hearted, cleverly created novel and the screenplay does it justice in every respect. On stage, the cast of five actors appear to be a dozen, doubling up with their many roles; nobody and nothing is wasted, and the lighting and sound are used to maximum effect to bring all kinds of scenery onto the stage, from a cellar to the open sea. Everyone played their parts beautifully, making them seem effortless and spontaneous, and a joy to watch.

This is one not to be missed!

I particularly loved the use of mime. I don’t want to write spoilers, but the scene where they look through the window – and then climb through it even as it levitates between the cast – was so clever. Evocative sound effects that were bang on cue, light that turned into water… how Adrian Pang made his Mr Racksole explore the dark basement of the hotel by the power of movement was just delightful. And the way Thomas Cotran played his Italian chef, Rocco, and his German princes with foreign accents and language… it was so typically British; hilarious and at the same time incredibly artful. Alice Pryor owned the character of Nella Racksole – completely believable as the entitled yet endearing young socialite. Shelley Atkinson’s Nanny Heidi was uproariously funny as she smothered the overgrown Prince Eugen with her attention. And Michael Hugo nailed all his collective roles, most especially the villainous Jules-cum-Tom Jackson. There was a fantastic boat scene as Nella was kidnapped, as the defeated kidnapper Tom rolls around the swaying deck while the dialogue continues around him… a member of the audience was drafted in to hold the ship’s wheel.

I am so pleased that this production is running until mid-October, because it gives even the busiest of us the chance to book tickets and head down for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. It is entertainment that is suitable for everyone (yes, there were children watching too, which is always nice to see). The only moment you will flinch is when Chef Rocco is embalming the pretend corpse of Mr Dimmock – it’s pure comedy genius, but go and see for yourself!

CAST

Shelley Atkinson – Miss Spencer, Baroness Zerlinski, Messenger, Nanny Heidi
Thomas Cotran – Reginald Dimmock, Prince Aribert of Posen, Rocco
Michael Hugo – Jules, Tom Jackson, Detective Marshall, Prince Eugen of Posen, porter, ticket collector
Adrian Pang – Theodore Racksole
Alice Pryor – Nella Racksole

CREATIVES

Director – Conrad Nelson
Designer – Liz Evans
Composer – James Atherton
Lighting and Projection Designer – Daniella Beattie
Sound Designer – Damian Coldwell
Movement Director/Choreographer – Beverley Norris-Edmunds
Casting Associate – Ann Carroll
Physical Comedy Director – Nick Haverson
Intimacy Coordinator – Kim Wright

PRODUCTION

Production Manager – Martin Thompson
Company Stage Manager – Steve Hall
Deputy Stage Manager – Lisa Mellor
Assistant Stage Manager – Jacob Anderson
Assistant Stage Manager, book cover – Kat Hodgson

How much are the tickets for The Grand Babylon Hotel? 

Tickets are on sale now, priced from £15 to £42.  

Concessions: £2.00 off
Group Discounts: £2.00 off for ten or more
Under 16s Go Free
Under 26s Go Free

Note: Part of their 3 Plays Season Ticket. Book to see Big Big Sky, The Grand Babylon Hotel and Earth Angel at the same time and save up to £24 off your theatregoing this year. Season Tickets priced from £87. Speak to Box Office for more details.

How do I book tickets to watch The Grand Babylon Hotel?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The Grand Babylon Hotel will run until Saturday,  4 October 2025 with evening shows at 7.30pm and Matinee at 2.15pm (on 20/09, 25/09, 02/10 and 04/10). The interval is around 8.30pm and show finishes at around 10pm.

Interpreted Performances

Captioned: 7.30pm Tue 30 September
Audio described: 2.15pm Sat 4 October

Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?

New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG

Parking and refreshments

The theatre has a large car park, with a £2.50 charge on show days (contactless card/phone payment made to the on-site attendant or cash payment inside the theatre). Additional parking is available next to the Borough Hotel, just down the road. Parking at the theatre is free before 6pm.

The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5.30pm for pre-show meals.

Booking is required for pre-show meals 5.30pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.

About The New Vic Theatre

Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.

You may also want to read this:

Review: Big Big Sky by Tom Wells at New Vic Theatre

Review: Eric’s Italian Job at the New Vic Theatre

Review: Arnold Bennett’s The Card at New Vic Theatre

Photo Credit: New Vic Theatre/Andrew Billington

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.