The introduction to part two of the epic Hotel comes again by way of welcoming, choreographed hotel staff, now with nylon, wheeled suitcases. Their uniforms are unisex chinos with matching Nehru jackets, and their demeanour seems more relaxed and certainly less servile. As the next decade rolls in, the disco ball is not the only indicator we are not in 1915 any more.

^{Hotel at the OzAsia Festival. Photo © W!LD RICE}

The surprises of the 1975 scene where anything goes culminate with larger than life-size cocks (not the type that crow) that bounce around the stage. The actor’s faces peek out of flesh coloured apertures in the shaft, with an amusement suggesting this is the best gig they’ve ever had. The ludicrousness is unashamedly over the top, if not downright blush-worthy, but it has its desired effect.

This fantastic vignette presents something of a challenge for Hotel. This tale is linear, which places the 70s approximately two-thirds of the way through. Playwrights Marcia Vanderstraaten and Alfian Sa’at clearly had a blast writing this scene as did the performers bringing it to life. It’s nothing short...