Dinner at the Twits at the Vaults

Theatre meets gastronomy in Les Enfants Terribles’ newest production opening at the Vaults in Waterloo. Fully embracing the comparison with Roald Dahl that has stuck to the boisterous theatre company for the last decade, they have created the first adaptation of a Dahl children’s book that is purely for adults. Thus, you are cordially invited to help celebrate the renewal of the Twits’ wedding vows at an unforgettable feast in Dinner at the Twits.

Immersive theatre has been having a moment recently, and it’s easy to see why when witnessing the transformation of the Vaults and the terrified faces of the audience. Including the two bars, there are four main performance spaces, and all of it is expertly decorated to the weird and dark world of Dahl, from the bizarre assortment of chairs (some three times the height of others), to the table names (with “ear wax” and “dung heap” being amongst them) to the themed cocktails that welcome you.

All of the drinks and food are designed by Bompas and Parr, a company famous for building a chocolate river, and it’s all sufficiently gruesome sounding. With canapés served in the Twits’ garden – made up of Sky Rodent Goujons, Festering Clutch and Mouldy Delight amongst others – dinner is, of course, Mr Twit’s Bird Pie. On the whole, Bompas and Parr have managed to pull off both fittingly grim dishes and keep the food scrumdiddlyumptious, in particular the Terrible Trifle dessert.

The acting within Dinner at the Twits comes somewhat second to the experience but is fantastic in its part. As the celebrations continue, we discover the Twits’ monkeys have a secret and a plan, which we watch unfold through cannons, upside-down circus tricks and a giant bird. In the lead roles, Chris Barlow and Lizzy Dive have a fabulous time, managing to create terror and humour in equal parts, especially through the silences that punctuate the dialogue with their manic grins or angered expressions playing off the audience.

This is a play unlike any other and with many secrets and surprises for any who dare. They fully capture the spirit of Dahl’s original book, creating something joyously menacing, just avoid being too close if you are of a shyer disposition.

Molly Lempriere

Dinner at the Twits is at tthe Vaults Theatre from 4^th September until 30^th October 2016. Book your tickets here.