The Snail House at Hampstead Theatre

I managed to bag a discounted ticket for press night for The Snail House at Hampstead Theatre. I'd heard good things about the play by Richard Eyre. It's about Sir Neil Marriott, a public health advisor who was knighted for his work during the pandemic. The setting is him hosting a birthday party for his family and staff. The celebration takes place in his son's former school, and we see intergenerational conflicts arise regarding politics, class and climate change. We also meet Florence, a member of the catering staff, who was previously wronged by Sir Neil, and this creates a powerful and unsettling dynamic within the family.

It's a good play and very realistically presented. The topical dialogue shows complex family relationships and a generation divide. The acting is strong, and I liked the style of the piece. However, it wasn't quite as dramatic as I thought it was going to be in the second act. I was still gripped throughout, so I recommend it as worth seeing.

A note about the theatre - Hampstead Theatre is a lovely theatre with a spacious cafe and two stages. The main house is on the ground and first floors and the studio is on the lower level. Worth noting that Row M at the back of the stalls is weird. The seat is not raised so you'll likely find a head blocking your view completely. The row behind (the very back row) has raised seating and gives a much better view.