interactive – The Cultural Exposé

Invisible Treasure at Ovalhouse puts you (and others) centre stage

Matilda — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 13:00:45 +0000

I’ve made a habit of not reading synopses where films and theatre shows are concerned. This means I have no idea of what I’m getting myself into so I can make an unbiased critique at the end. But in the case of Invisible Treasure, a new interactive production at the Ovalhouse theatre, I wish I read the memo. That way I would have brought a friend along (trust me, bring a buddy) and I’d also have a better understanding of the premise – a digital playroom that involves connecting with others, evoking your inner-child, losing your inhibitions (or in some cases, not).

I’m not gonna drop any spoilers, but as a piece of theatre, it’s definitely one of the more creative concepts I’ve ever engaged with, making amazing use of technology. And with no obvious plot to follow, it’s thought-provoking, a little bit strange, but an experience nonetheless. If you have a spare Saturday afternoon, it deserves the attention before it wraps up on 14th November. You can check out pics from the production below and for more info, visit: http://www.ovalhouse.com/whatson/detail/invisible-treasure-by-fanshen.

Pic: Cat Lee

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Somewhere you should go… Wilfred Bagshaw’s Time Emporium

Florence Ritter — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:00:34 +0000

If you could go back in time to any place in any era, where would you go? This age-old question will stir even the most wearisome, dragging conversations into motion: all of us seem to have strong opinions about our imagined historical hotspots. But for all of the times this question has been raised, I doubt any notable percentage of the responses was: ‘Oh, fourteenth century England … yes, without a doubt, fourteenth century England’. Rats, revolts and ravaging wars, and the Black Death sweeping the country with its horrible scythe? Not altogether appealing. But anyone who collected Horrible Histories scratch’n’sniff stickers in their childhood must surely harbour a secret desire to experience the deep dark Middle Ages. Now you can. Wilfred Bagshaw’s Time Emporium promises to transport participants back to the year 1381 as part of an immersive and interactive adventure. Reserve your tickets now to catch a trip thorough Bagshaw’s time portal which will open only briefly for two nights this month.

The evening’s exploits are to begin at Village Underground in Shoreditch, where Wilfred Bagshaw will welcome you with open arms and details of the evening’s quest to find a mystery artefact. The night will unravel into an adventure to which you decide the outcome, set in the whirlwind of social and political turmoil of fourteenth century England. Following completion of the assignment, Bagshaw will treat his crusaders to a warehouse party with bands and DJs (joining you through the portal from the 21st century) playing until the early hours of the morning. From 11pm, revellers from today’s era can join the medievalites for the party only.

What are you waiting for? Ladies, don your finest imported Italian silks and wrap up in cat and squirrel stoles; guys hike up your breeches and fasten your cloaks tight. Gather together your ha’pannies, farthings and groats for a ticket through time. (Words: Florence Ritter)

Wilfred Bagshaw’s Time Emporium runs 22nd – 23rd March. For more info, visit: www.time-emporium.com

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Somewhere you should go… Choose Your Own Documentary at Southbank Centre

The Cultural Exposé — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:00:45 +0000

If you were anything like me as a kid, the Choose Your Own Adventure books were a highlight of reading time (remember how it didn’t count if you kept your finger on the page?) – so the latest five night stint at the Southbank Centre is likely to be right up your alley.

Described as a “live interactive stand-up documentary”, it follows the story of how performer Nathan Penlington found somebody’s childhood diary and decided to track down the writer. What makes it a little different from your usual theatric experience is that at each step of the way, the audience is given the power to decide what happens next. With the option to partake in electronic voting (could this be the first X Factor/ theatre mashup?) what this means is that there are theoretically over 1500 possible routes that the story can take – think of it as truly democratic storytelling. If it’s anything like my experiences, you’ll be locked in a room with a murderous clown in the first fifteen minutes, but if nothing else, you can guarantee that this is one show where every night will be truly different. (Words: Charlotte Lydia)

Choose Your Own Documentary runs from 6-10 November at the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

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