“We can’t stop here, this is bat country!”
A few nights ago we saw the return of The Vault Festival 2014, a 6 week Creative Festival running until 8th March in the atmospheric tunnels under Waterloo station. It went off with a bang, acid-trip style, with the opening evening of their adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’.
It was a savage, 2-hour assault to the senses exploring Raoul Duke, and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo’s drug fueled search for the American Dream. It’s witty; it’s dark, and bizarrely relevant to its modern audience (if not a little uncomfortable when sat on a backless bench for two hours). We say it’s worth a trip (excuse the pun) for the Ralph Steadman illustrations that adorn the set or the Vegas Bar scene where the cast contort themselves in into the psychedelic lizards hallucinated by Mr. Duke- it’s the stuff of nightmares.
Enjoy the ride if you head down. Also showing over the course of the festival is Ian McEwan’s ‘The Cement Garden’ and there’s a permanent bar open to the public where explorers can warm themselves with Adnams cask ale or follow Hunter S Thompson’s lead with some Wild Turkey bourbon.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9pm and 11pm, live swing music meets New Orleans jazz with performances from the Kansas Smitty’s, in addition to comedy compering from a programme of comedians – all for free.
Tickets: £25
VAULT 2014, The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN
www.thevaultfestival.com