HOUSE OF LIFE Returns to London

At its core, HOUSE OF LIFE is more than a mere show. It’s a communal adventure led by the inimitable RaveRend (Ben Welch), whose supercharged stage presence fuses the madcap energy of a rave with the warmth of a benevolent host. Picture comedic interludes, flamboyant costumes, foot-stomping funk tracks, and surprising moments of shared reflection—all unspooling as part of an eight-step guide to happiness.

Perhaps you’re wondering: “Eight steps? Are we talking self-help or stage show?” Indeed, that’s part of the intrigue. The creative team behind HOUSE OF LIFE have crafted something that deftly defies neat categorisation. It’s part cabaret, part stand-up comedy, part communal party. And it works. When the show ran at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, word-of-mouth hype steadily grew. Even amid the competitive whirlwind of the Fringe, with hundreds of offerings vying for attention, HOUSE OF LIFE cut through the noise. Night after night, audiences found themselves queuing early, hoping to snatch up any last-minute ticket so as not to miss what was being touted as the next big thing.

Four Corners of the Capital—and Beyond

In the upcoming months, HOUSE OF LIFE will grace four distinct venues across London, each imbued with its own character and local flair. First up is Soho Theatre from 26 to 31 May, a space famed for nurturing fresh comedic talent and hosting daring new productions. While Soho has historically been a hotbed of boundary-pushing theatre, I predict that HOUSE OF LIFE will turn that up another notch, injecting the city’s most eclectic neighbourhood with extra fizz.

Next, from 2 to 4 July, the show travels south to Brixton House. Brixton is renowned for its robust cultural tapestry, a place where music and activism merge in the street, giving rise to spontaneous dance parties at the merest hint of a good beat. The synergy between Brixton’s community vibe and the show’s collective emphasis promises to be a match made in theatrical heaven.

Then, on 10 July, the production takes over Wilton’s Music Hall, a venue that has seen its fair share of showstoppers since the mid-19th century. For all its historical charm, Wilton’s has never been afraid to welcome contemporary twists. Expect the old-world brick walls and Victorian architecture to reverberate with the show’s modern beats—a contrast sure to delight architecture buffs and music lovers alike.

Finally, the run wraps up at Park Theatre on 18 and 19 July, a still relatively new space that has, in a short time, gained a reputation for championing innovative productions. Park Theatre’s intimate yet polished setting will offer audiences another unique lens through which to experience HOUSE OF LIFE—proving that no two performances are ever quite alike. And once those London performances conclude, the production heads overseas to Oslo and New York, carrying its glittery vibes and inclusive message to an international stage.

If you’re like me, you’ll have seen your share of cabaret nights—some marvellous, some baffling, some best forgotten. But HOUSE OF LIFE brings an X-factor that can’t be reduced to a single element. The comedic segments are snappy, the musical numbers brim with a cheeky vibrancy, and the pacing is as slick as it is unpredictable. According to the team’s own data, over 90% of respondents in post-show surveys said they left feeling more positive than when they arrived. While one might quibble about the subjectivity of “feeling more positive,” it’s a revealing statistic. In a theatre landscape often dominated by technical virtuosity or thought-provoking tragedy, there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about a show whose main aim is simply to make people feel good.

That’s not to say it’s all fluff—far from it. By threading through comedic bits, anecdotal stories, and a strong musical heartbeat, HOUSE OF LIFE manages to shine a light on the modern longing for connection. After enduring global upheavals, many of us crave togetherness and a sense that hope is not just an empty word. This show takes that longing and spins it into a multi-sensory carnival where you can laugh, sing, dance, and even reflect on the next steps you might take in your personal search for joy.

Never The Same Show Twice

Among the myriad joys of HOUSE OF LIFE, there’s one angle that particularly captivates me: the element of improvisation. The RaveRend, as Ben Welch has styled himself, tailors each performance according to the audience’s energy. It’s not unusual to see improvised banter between Welch and an unsuspecting theatregoer, or a spontaneous dance-off triggered by someone’s wild suggestion. These unscripted moments inject a sense of immediacy and authenticity that can be rare in more polished but predictable theatre pieces.

I’ve heard murmurs from backstage crew that the RaveRend has an uncanny knack for reading a room—if the crowd seems subdued, he’ll instigate a call-and-response game or invite the front row onto the stage to get the collective pulse racing. If the audience is already hyper-enthused, he’ll ride that energy to create an almost nightclub-like atmosphere. You never quite know where the show will take you, and that sense of unpredictability is central to its charm.

The Heartfelt Mission Behind the Beats

“We can’t quite believe that we are now going to be spreading the glittery vibes around the world,” said RaveRend (Ben Welch) when asked about the upcoming tour. “We originally made this show to bring people together while the world felt like it was falling apart, so this is more than a tour – it’s a pilgrimage to ultimate happiness where everyone is welcome, where the beats bind us, the bass lifts us and unity fuels the movement. The house is going global – let’s ascend together!”

These words aren’t just hyperbole. They strike at the very core of what HOUSE OF LIFE is designed to achieve: creating a communal spirit that transcends backgrounds, beliefs, and everyday stresses. With such an inclusive invitation, it’s no wonder the show has attracted a range of partners—namely Sheep Soup, Tilted, and Rodeo Productions—each bringing their own expertise in staging fresh, socially conscious theatre.

A Quick Look Behind the Scenes

While it’s obvious from the front rows that the cast and crew are having a blast, you might be surprised at the level of logistic wizardry required to pull off each show’s unique vibe. I recently chatted with an assistant stage manager—let’s call them Sam—who confided that it’s akin to running “a multi-ring circus.” Between the comedic skits, the choreographed numbers, and the spontaneity that RaveRend encourages, the backstage crew has to remain on high alert. Props are shuffled, microphones tested, and lighting cues recalibrated in real time. Sam revealed that once, at the Fringe, an audience member took it upon themselves to leap on stage during an improvised segment and start twirling a feather boa. Rather than panic, the team integrated the moment seamlessly, adjusting the spotlight and shifting the band’s tempo to accommodate the unexpected cameo.

For a show that thrives on unpredictability, it’s a testament to the skill and camaraderie of everyone behind the scenes that these spontaneous episodes never derail the performance. Instead, they often become the highlight of the night—viral video fodder that fans share on social media the next day.

A Show For Our Times

In recent years, a wave of “immersive” theatre experiences has swept the globe, with productions encouraging audience participation or blurring the line between performer and spectator. HOUSE OF LIFE fits snugly within this trend, yet it also stands apart. Rather than leaning into darkness or gritty realism, it basks in an unabashed sense of joy—an open-armed invitation to laugh, dance, and celebrate together.

This positivity resonates in our hyperconnected world, where good news can feel like a rare gem. Research from various mental health organisations indicates that communal activities, particularly those involving music and movement, can serve as genuine mood enhancers. While HOUSE OF LIFE isn’t billed as a wellness workshop, one can’t deny the production’s underlying message of kindness, solidarity, and emotional release.

HOUSE OF LIFE is that rare phenomenon: a production that manages to be both hilarious and hopeful. It beckons you in with cheeky comedy, holds you close with irresistible beats, and sends you off with the sense that you’ve participated in something bigger than yourself. As it tours London’s four corners—then leaps across the sea to Oslo and New York—the show’s universal plea for unity and shared bliss could not feel more timely. If you’re longing to reconnect with that spark of live theatre that leaves you both thrilled and comforted, then prepare to ascend to new heights of happiness this season.

And in a world where so much seems to divide us, there’s something quietly revolutionary about that final call to “ascend together.” After all, at its most transcendent, theatre does more than entertain: it lifts us up, stirs our collective pulse, and leaves us with a palpable sense of hope. HOUSE OF LIFE embodies all those qualities in a single, glitter-drenched package. Consider it a joyful invitation—one you’d do well not to miss.