immersive

Viola’s Room, The Carriageworks

by Zahid Fayyaz

Immersive theatre specialists Punchdrunk have opened their second show in what is their own, custom-built space in Woolwich Arsenal, following on from The Burnt City. Based on a 1901 gothic short story, The Moon Slave, written by Daisy Johnson and with narration by Helen Bonham Carter, this is a relatively starry shift from the company. They have also moved away from their previous productions by putting together a linear narrative, rather than allowing the audience free reign over the space and story.

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Handel’s Messiah: The Live Experience, Drury Lane Theatre

by Euan Vincent

When Handel wrote the Messiah in 1741, he faced fierce competition within the dwindling operagoing-market to get more bums on seats. Opera was seen as obtuse, elitist and too expensive (oh, how times have changed). Faced with this reticence, Handel wrote Messiah as an oratorio, which is similar to opera but isn’t typically staged, is written in English and focuses heavily on Christian themes – all of which were designed to broaden the appeal of his piece to the widest audience possible.

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Dig, VAULT Festival

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by Amber Pathak

Standing in a storage container at the top of Leake Street, mud squishing beneath my trainers, I hear a man softly singing. This is it, I think, this is how I am going to die, trying to tunnel my way out onto the streets of Waterloo. A second man appears from the corner and started up a dialogue. I am immediately relieved; I would not be doing any digging.

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The Grim, VAULT Festival

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by Laura Kressly

In a recent article, Nick Chater explains that the majority of people aren’t likely to rebel against tyrannical governments. Most of us are predisposed to follow rules, no matter how arbitrary they are. We might think that we would lead a revolution, but in all likelihood, most of us will do what we’re told. 

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RawTransportTM, VAULT Festival

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by Fergus Church

[/activate sensory simulation database]

[sensory simulation database pending]

[sensory simulation database complete]

[location: vault festival]

[/play]

[/see:] dim corridors. neon and spray paint and brick.
[/smell:] must. vimto-flavoured vape. cigarette smoke. beer.
[/feel:] water sweat-dripping onto crowns of heads. dusty warmth.
[/hear:] chatting. applause. glasses clinking behind the bar. a pub quiz announcer.
[/taste:] breath mints. mould in the air.

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All Wrapped Up, Stratford Circus

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by Laura Kressly

Oily Cart makes gently immersive, highly sensory performances for people under five years old, and people with complex needs. This winter-themed touring show for little ones takes them into a world of colourful lights, dark shadows and sparkly parcels that reveal an array of treasure, from reams of bubble wrap, to coloured lights to a magnificent puppet constructed out of cellophane. As lights dim and glow amidst the white drapes and shimmering cushions, children are invited to explore the tactile, etherial landscape that evokes the the wonder of unwrapping presents on a snowy Christmas morning.

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Gastronomic, Shoreditch Town Hall

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by Amy Toledano

Curious Directive have created a marvelous immersive experience with Gastronomic. This gorgeous piece of theatre brings us a story from the sky as we experience a first-class menu with a British theme covering curries on Brick Lane through to ice cream on Brighton Pier.

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80 Days: A Real-World Adventure, Underbelly Southbank

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By Meredith Jones Russell

Loosely based on Jules Verne’s classic adventure novel Around the World in 80 Days, Fire Hazard Games’ new immersive game 80 Days: A Real-World Adventure invites groups to race across central London solving clues, raising funds, making critical expedition purchases and deciding whether or not to trust the characters they meet along the way.

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Chambers_, a secret location

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By Michaela Clement-Hayes

There’s a growing trend for immersive experiences. In a world of AI and 3D printing, we don’t just want to see and hear our entertainment – we want to touch and taste it as well. Much like the thrills children crave at a fun fair, our expectation is that we will get a huge burst of adrenaline as we fully experience something unique.

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