In 140 characters or less: “Warehouse 364: Where good things happen to bad people. Like Cube meets In Bruges.”

A tale of interconnected, but seemingly disparate, strangers embroiled in dastardly goings on as a result of some farcical misunderstandings. Warehouse 364 would have all the makings of a turn-of-the-century parlour comedy were it not for the brash language and motley crew of unsavoury characters which inhabit this slightly surreal underworld.

The show is about the singular part time prostitute Eleanor, better known as simply E. Oddly starting the show with a monologue about loss of innocence, childhood, and distance, Anna Sherriff plays an aimless yet brave heroine whose fate is determined more by happenstance than any of her own failings.

The story follows E as she aspires towards a better life after a chance meeting and miscommunication with villain Tuffnell (a world weary Tom Warren), and a fleeting glimpse of the money and potential power that could be hers.

As a result, she finds herself in the gangland hangout of master drug criminals, (though slightly more eccentric and eloquent than I imagine real drug runners are), trying to escape a maze-like series of rooms, chased by her hapless roommate Sally (exasperated mother-figure Laura Wishart), and a bizarre selection of thugs desperate for blood, revenge and answers.

Will Vickers is a bit of a treat as head thug Lipson, whom he has chosen to portray as something of a Malcolm Tucker, the anti-hero spin doctor from BBC hit satire The Thick of It. A psychopath in the true sense of the word, his scathing remarks are far more chilling than the rest of his gun-toting antics, and it’s a proper delight to watch his underlings squirm under his gaze.

The only unsettling thing about Warehouse 364 is the lack of a moral centre: while I don’t believe any piece of art needs a singular purpose or ethical message to be successful, I was left doubting my sympathies for any of the characters, and feeling slightly disappointed that there wasn’t any real resolution to the plot. However, though the sudden ending left me crestfallen, I heartily enjoyed the ride.

Festbuzz Rating:

Words: Elise Bramich