'Hotel Paradiso' leaves Bahrain spellbound

Manama : German theatre company Familie Flöz performed a unique masked comedy ‘Hotel Paradiso’ at Cultural Hall as part of Spring of Culture events, which turned out to be a delightful experience to the audience. 

The play commenced with a loud bang, which got everyone’s attention, and the audience soon hushed up. Then, a figure appeared on stage, so unique and intriguing, that people could not take their eyes away. Soon, the acting began, all without words, but with the most emotive expressions, which, funnily enough, fit the ever-changing context and bore its meaning completely – while also leaving just enough room for each person’s own imaginative projections. 

The masks worn by the actors were immaculate and grotesque at the same time; positively captivating for anyone with eyes to see and, refreshingly, no language was necessary! Set in a family-run hotel in the Alps, this comedy play revolved around personal idiosyncrasies and general human befuddlement.

DT News spoke with two people attending the play, before it began. Moe, who was seated very close to the stage, explained that he enjoys picking events to attend, held by the Spring of Culture, based on a faithful kind of randomness. “I don’t know what’s going to be about, but that’s the beauty of it,” he said. 

Jürgen Horter, also attending, said, “I heard about the play from a friend via the German embassy and was very much interested to see it, so I bought tickets and here I am.”

Another guest Nabeel Almoayed, a local business owner, stated, “My daughter pinned into my mind the idea of attending this unique play and I said, “Why not?” “I was curious to see how well these events are organised.”