REVIEW: The Boline Inn at Hope Theatre 2 – 13 December

'The set and costumes are meticulously considered, immediately establishing a timeless, self-contained world.' ★★★

The Boline Inn marks the London debut of Liverpool-based, female-led company Meadow Report. Combining movement, song and an absurdist performance style, the production carries a distinctive atmosphere and a confident visual identity.

The most striking element is its design.  The set and costumes are meticulously considered, immediately establishing a timeless, self contained world. There are echoes of the surreal domesticity seen in work like The Flea at the Yard Theatre, situating the audience in a space that feels both familiar and unsettling.

The movement work, particularly its use of breath, is handled with sensitivity and precision, while the songs are beautifully sung and thoughtfully placed, offering moments of emotional contrast against an otherwise uneasy narrative. The juxtaposition of warmth and discomfort is one of the show’s strengths.

As a female-led production, it is refreshing to encounter a story shaped through women’s perspectives, and the care taken in the making of the piece is evident throughout. However, while the visual and sonic elements remain engaging, the narrative itself feels somewhat predictable from early on, limiting the dramatic tension and emotional surprise.



The Boline Inn is a carefully crafted and visually assured production. With further dramaturgical development, it has the potential to match its strong aesthetic with greater narrative depth.

The Boline Inn 

By Eilis Mulholland, assisted by Ophélia Gourbault

The Hope Theatre, 207 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1RL
 

2 – 13 December 2025

BOX OFFICE https://www.thehopetheatre.com/thebolineinn

CAST  

Marley Craze as Betty 

Cara Dougherty as Jane 

Eilis Mulholland as Old Women Meg 

Grace Mia Harvey as Val 

Natasha Jobst as Caro 

Chloe Stokes as Althea 

CREATIVE TEAM

Costume design by Hannah Wickham

sound design by Joseph Staines

Stage management: Joe Judd

Photo credit: Hannah Wickham