Dinner is Coming at the Vaults
Dinner is Coming is an immersive theatre experience in the Vaults underneath Waterloo, affectionately parodying Game of Thrones. The evening starts with the marriage of the heir to the Several Kingdoms, Jaffrey Bearathon, and Margarine, the beautiful daughter of the noble Trywell Family. Unfortunately, Jaffrey buys it before the first course of the banquet and dies a hammy death by poisoning, as does the next in line. The diners must try to work out who is responsible for the outrage and pledge allegiance to one of the three houses. The house with the most members at the end of the night wins a victorious goblet of wine for each member. The cast (Laurence Pears, Liam Fleming, Jake Hassam, Charlotte Newton John and Georgia Clarke Day) are all brilliantly committed, with Janina Smith particularly catty and duplicitous as Jaffrey’s mother, Kirsty.
The banqueting hall is done up evocatively in swags of draped fabric, chandeliers and candles, which really gets everybody into the spirit of being medieval lords and ladies. A sumptuous feast ensues, delivered with suitable drama. All the servers are as much in character as the main players, which adds to the fun. The food is designed to be brought out with a flourish – platters of meat and potatoes and cauldrons of bullion – and encourages sharing and interaction between everyone on the benches – and, most importantly of all, it is delicious. A starter of fava beans, asparagus, radish and mint with a pea and garlic bullion is delicate but zingy and playful, with flavours that dance on the palette, especially the cubes of lemon verbena jelly. The main course of spiced cauliflower, chicken wings, lamb and sweet potato and bean stew is both rustic and modern. The star of the show is the greens studded with slivers of candy beetroot and shot through with punchy basil pesto (it was sad to see the bowl sail off down the bench never to return). Egmont potatoes with crispy skins and sweet, bursting insides are also moreish. The poached pear dessert is pretty and delicately spiced.
As the banquet commences there is more drama, with the introduction of Johns Know and his wig, to much hilarity. Last evening some particularly fanatical Jon Snow devotees were increasingly raucous and bawdy but the actors were very quick-witted and responsive, which was impressive. The denouement, with all fed and merry, is exciting and a twisty-turny homage to Game of Thrones. A fun and exhilarating evening.
Jessica Wall
Photo: The Vaults
Dinner is Coming is at the Vaults from 9th April until 14th July 2019. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
Watch the trailer for Dinner is Coming here:
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