Theatre at Soho Farmhouse
Earlier this year we travelled out to the celestial pastures of Soho Farmhouse for a corporate booking. Afterwards we asked actor Ludo Hughes to tell us all about it. Ludo is a long-time Reveller, having played Oberon in our private A Midsummer Night's Dream and Bill in Voice of the Turtle. We've taken him to clubs, private homes, and lakeside gardens, but as this piece will show, there's always room for something new!
The summer had been lazily dragging itself into mid-September. On my calendar there was the sharpie etching that read ‘VOT @ SHFH’. Ahead of me was a trip to Oxfordshire to an exclusive playground of the well to do. I smirked to myself slightly: I wonder if they’ll be able to tell I have little business being there.
Image Copyright Soho Farmhouse
I met Mel (one of Revels' producers) under the departures board at a balmy Paddington Station and we boarded our 14:26 to Charlbury Station. From the train we saw London falling behind, giving way to sleepy sandstone commuter towns speckling a mostly green canvas. It was good to get out. Mel was chatting through the practicalities of what was ahead of us and, as usual, I was only half-listening and full-gazing out the train window. We were at it again, but this time we were going farther afoot, to Soho Farmhouse. A private performance of our beloved Voice of the Turtle (John William Van Druten’s World War II romantic comedy) was our mission.
We arrived at the gatehouse of the site via taxi and had to disembark. No private cars are allowed on site. Instead the Farmhouse provides Land Rovers driven by swarthy uniformed chaps or charmingly quaint milk floats painted the signature duck-shell blue green that smatters the entire place. We were directed to our milk float and cruised gently with our cases of costumes through the trimmed hedges and pine fences. On arrival at the bar where we were to perform, we were greeted like epicureans. Drinks (non-alcoholic of course) were plentiful. Our choice of any kind- hot or cold- and a mountain of various confectionary and desserts. A full trough of eton mess, a platter overflowing with scones of different kinds with cream and jam. Today would have to be a ‘cheat-day’. As Mel discussed the practicalities of our comings and goings for the performance with our liaison, I chowed down on all I could get my hands on. Regretting this greatly about 15 minutes later as I crammed myself into my uniform and readied to play Second Lieutenant Bill Page. Mel and I ran some bits a few times and then the moment was upon us.
“On arrival at the bar where we were to perform, we were greeted like epicureans. Drinks (non-alcoholic of course) were plentiful.”
Our audience was made up of various delegates from luxury entertainment companies and others looking to spread the good news about Revels in Hand and the exquisite service they provide. They were at the Farmhouse for a week of such displays and showcases to add to their repertoire. It was safe to say that their week had also been filled with Bacchic delights and they were on the giggly side of intoxication when we emerged from our green room to give them a show. At the curtain call their faces beamed approval at us and we floated back from whence we came to re-garb and head to our complimentary dinner also generously provided by the Farmhouse.
Bellies full of delightful grub and satisfied grins slapped over our faces, Mel and I returned to the Big Smoke and normal life, after a dreamy hiatus in the Oxfordshire paradise that is Soho Farmhouse.