Punchdrunk have today announced Helena Bonham Carter as the narrator for the world premiere of their new production, Viola’s Room. The show opens at the company’s home in Woolwich this May for a limited run. The narration is pre-recorded and audiences will be guided by Helena’s voice, scripted by Daisy Johnson, through headphones. In Viola’s Room, barefoot, and wearing headphones, small groups of up to six at a time will feel their way through a maze-like installation as an unseen narrator guides them on a sensory journey to reveal a story of innocence lost and obsession unleashed. Written by Booker Prize-shortlisted Daisy Johnson, Viola’s Room reimagines Barry Pain’s classic gothic mystery The Moon-Slave for a new audience. Image: Punchdrunk ​ On being part of Viola's Room, Helena Bonham Carter said: Having long been a fan of Punchdrunk, when Felix (Barrett) shared the concept of Viola’s Room with me, I was captivated. How could I resist a gothic fairytale interpreted through Daisy Johnson’s febrile pen, layered with Punchdrunk’s incomparable sensory craft and magic? It’s an honour to be narrating this truly unique experience.’ Punchdrunk Artistic Director Felix Barrett also said: It was a pinch me moment hearing Helena bring Daisy’s words to life. What an icon - and what a truly mesmerising enchantment she brings to Viola’s Room. I’m beyond thrilled to offer our audiences the chance to have Helena Bonham Carter whisper in their ear and delicately, deviously steward them through our dreamworld.’ The production is conceived, directed and designed by Artistic Director Felix Barrett, with co-direction by Associate Director Hector Harkness (One Night, Long Ago; The Third Day) and design by Casey Jay Andrews, who was part of the design team on The Burnt City. Working with Punchdrunk for the first time are Lighting Designer Simon Wilkinson (Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Vanishing Point’s Metamorphosis), and Sound Designer Gareth Fry (Complicité’s The Encounter; V&A’s David Bowie Is, Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser and Diva exhibitions). ​ Viola’s Room will take place at Punchdrunk’s home at One Cartridge Place, Woolwich. Viola's Room will begin previews on 14th May, and will run until 18th August in Woolwich. Tickets are on sale via punchdrunk.com, priced from £28.50 per person.

A new immersive experience is set to launch in London in March 2024. Bridge Command - which will see participants become the crew of a starship battling to save humanity - is the latest production from Parabolic Theatre, who have previously mounted immersive shows including Crisis? What Crisis? and For King and Country. With two different mission styles on offer - Military Mission and Exploration Mission, the experience with allow for an experience that matches the participants' play style. While both will involve combat, the Military Mission will focus more on ship-to-ship confrontation, with the Exploration Mission seeing the ship go where 'no other craft has gone before'. Professional actors from Parabolic Theatre will join the action as various characters that the crew meet on their journeys through space. Each participant will take on a different role within the ship within four main groups, which are... Operations Team, who are responsible for the overall running of the ship with roles including Weapons, Comms and Helm. Science Team, who will focus on the route of the ship and new findings, with roles including Navigation and Radar. Engineering Team, who will look after the maintenance with roles including Power Management and Damage Control. Command Team, who are responsible for leading the crew and making the big decisions, with roles including Captain and First Officer. The custom-built starship set will respond to events within the story - everything from enemy attacks to ship malfunctions will directly impact the physical set causing systems to break and sparks to fly. Additionally, the experience's episodic format means participants have the opportunity to continue their story in subsequent visits, with events and decisions from previous missions being remembered and influencing the content of return visits. Tickets are on sale now via bridgecommand.space. Previews begin at the end of March 2024, with dates up until mid-June currently available for booking. Prices start at £40 per person Stay up to date on this and everything else immersive in London by following us on Instagram or X.

Later this week The Space near Mudchute will become home to Your Christmas Carol Experience. With only 10 audience members enterting at a time, the show will engage with their own stories, connections, and memories as they encounter the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Ahead of the show opening, we spoke to the show's director, Kelsey Yuhara, to discuss the show's conception, how they've adapted the Charles Dickens classic, and what audience members can expect from the show. Photo: Phokal Hi Kelsey. Thanks for chatting to us. Do you mind telling us a bit about yourself? Sure! I am Kelsey Yuhara, a multi-disciplinary artist working in immersive and site-responsive performance, theatre and improvisation. I am performing regularly with Comediasians, CSI (Crime Scene Impro) and BATSU! London at the Underbelly Boulevard Theatre. Later this week Your Christmas Carol opens at The Space. Can you tell us what inspired the creation of the show? I was taking a walk on a crisp autumn day and just talking about ideas. I was walking past a church nearby where I had thought vaguely, years ago before the pandemic, about collaborating on a walk-around Christmas Carol in various locations. This year, however, I thought about what would happen if the story was mostly about the ghosts - because I love the idea of ghosts. The more I thought about it, the more enticing it was to dive in and imagine an experience where one would be encountering their own past, present and future spirits. A Christmas Carol is a beloved festive tale, how are you planning on putting a unique spin on the story? As a theatremaker, I'm probably the last person who others would think would want to adapt a traditional tale because I love new writing and contemporary projects. This take on the classic tale though, is truly modern. There's no Scrooge. It's not taking place in Victorian times. None of the human characters you otherwise have come to associate with Christmas Carol feature either. I explained this to someone the other day and they asked "Well, is it even still A Christmas Carol?" And I feel, yes and no. The audience in this version are in the position of Scrooge and you'll encounter your versions of memories and 'ghosts'. I don't assume that everyone is a stereotypical miser, but I do think there is an element of Scrooge or Scrooge logic in all of us - which is why it's such an enduring tale. The themes and intentions of Dickens' original story I believe come through in this take - but you're going to experience them with many of your senses (except taste unless you stay for a mulled wine in the cafe afterwards!) - and also magic and your imagination! Essentially, even though it is based on an enduring classic, it is a thoroughly modern take, and it is Your Christmas Carol Experience (emphasis on 'your' and 'experience'). This version, I should note, is also not for the passive watcher. There is, of course, some watching, but you'll be engaging too. Photo: Phokal It's an intimate experience with only 10 audience members entering at a time - can you speak a little about how that allows you to craft a more engaging and immersive experience for guests? I was thinking about why any audience would choose to go to a live performance (as opposed to watching A Christmas Carol on Disney +, which the 2019 miniseries I also, for the record, think is great). Ten is the number in this instance, that we can reasonably fit into some of the spaces we're using. The use of these smaller spaces is also a choice and an opportunity to play with each space as its own atmosphere and world. We want the past, present and future to feel distinct and by moving into different spaces, I feel like audiences will get that sensation of going on a journey. There is also more close interaction with performers, where dissolving the fourth wall in this case, I hope will make audiences feel more immersed in the experience and a part of it. Can you tell us a bit about the cast for the show? The cast is a wonderful mix of talents all bringing different strengths in dance, puppetry, improvisation & immersive performance, physical theatre, magic & mentalism, clown, music and choir. It's really, really exciting to have so many skills to draw on and enhance the experiences in each space. They're all vibrant and proactive creators in their own right and it's an honour to be working with them on this show. We have the following cast performing for you in Your Christmas Carol Experience: Time Keeper – Romer Spirits of the Past – Yuxuan Liu, Noah Silverstone and Ashlee McIntosh Lantern Bearer – Emma-May Uden Spirit of the Present – Andrew Phoenix Present Aide – Hannah Hawkins Spirit of the Future – Mahalakshmi Spirit of Now – Sofia Zaragoza What are you hoping audiences will take away from the show? I hope that, as always, we remember what we are grateful for during challenging and uncertain times; that in the depth of winter, there is a rebirth coming; to find new ones and remember to cherish the connections we hold dearest, and to reconnect with our own power over our destinies. Looking forward to the new year, what projects do you have coming up? Following this run, we would love to grow Your Christmas Carol Experience for the coming years. Lilli and I will continue to be working on Rain Weaver which is a devised production that we started last year. We'll be expanding the casting and hopefully take it to Edinburgh Fringe. There is also some new writing coming up that Lilli is producing and is excited about. At the moment, she is not allowed to disclose when and where but give TO a follow at @toentertainmentltd, and we will keep you posted. Your Christmas Carol Experience runs at The Space near Mudchute on 21st and 22nd December. Find out more about the show here. Stay up to date on this and everything else immersive in London by following us on Instagram or X.

After almost a year of silence COLAB Theatre - the immersive theatre company behind shows including The West and Crooks 1926 return later this month with the premiere of The Descent, a one-of-a-kind Greek myth experience set to thrill and terrify audiences this Halloween. Described as a 'journey through the Underworld, where visitors will embark upon a harrowing journey into the unknown', the show will see a limited group of only 20 guests per performance travel with Orpheus on a treacherous journey to the underworld to find his love, Eurydice. It will be an intimate, highly intense experience that will test audience's trust and courage. COLAB Theatre have previously run a series of immersive horror experiences including Echoes (2021), Flicker (2020) and Silence (2019). Artistic Director Bertie Watkins comments... Immersive theatre has the potential to create the ultimate Halloween thrill. We created The Descent to push the boundaries of immersive horror and plunge our audience into the aftermath of an Ancient Greek Myth. Audiences will experience an intimate, up-close, and personal journey, whilst influencing the narrative. The Descent will run from Friday 20th October to Saturday 18th November 2023 at COLAB Bankside. Tickets start at £28 and can be booked via colabtheatre.co.uk

The cast for the upcoming production of 1984: A Unique Immersive Experience has been confirmed. Officially opening on 26th October at Hackney Town Hall, the show is an immersive staging of the dystopian George Orwell novel and will be in previews from the 19th October. The show is co-directed by Richard Hahlo and Jem Wall - co-founders of Hydrocracker Theatre, who create immersive site-specific productions including The New World Order (Brighton Festival, Barbican and Shoreditch Town Hall), The Erpingham Camp (Brighton Festival on Brighton Pier), Shakespeare à La Carte (Brighton Festival and BBC Radio 4), Operation Black Antler with Blast Theory (Brighton Festival, Manchester HOME and Southbank Centre) and Who Cares 2032 (Northampton Royal & Derngate). The show has been adapted for the stage by Adam Taub, who is the founder of Pure Expression, an immersive theatre company that reimagine classic stories in unique environments including libraries, museums and civic spaces. Previous productions include Frankenstein (UK and US tour), Einstein’s Brain (Grant Museum of Zoology) and The Animated Museum (Jewish Museum in Camden). Declan Rodgers (Antigone, Lyric Theatre) will be playing Winston along Kit Reeveas Julia, and Jude Akuwudike (Three Sisters, The Overwhelming, Edmond, The Machine Wreckers, Richard II, Ion and Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, National Theatre) as O'Brien. Writer Adam Taub comments on the production, saying the following... The show is directed by Richard and Jem from Hydrocracker Theatre who specialise in creating site-specific and immersive work and have collaborated extensively with major theatre festivals creating work that really moves and challenges audiences. In Jude, Kit and Declan they have a superbly talented core of actors that have captivated audiences across the theatre and film world. And with an ensemble cast drawn from drama schools across London, we have a really exciting company and we can’t wait for the opening night. 1984: A Unique Immersive Experience opens for previews on 19th October and runs until 26th November. For more information visit immersive1984.com

Rumble In The Jungle Rematch, the upcoming Canada Water based immersive experience that will recreate the iconic fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman has announced their cast list. Opening in September 2023, this is the second show from Rematch - who previously mounted Wimbledon Rematch 1980 in Wembley Park. Promising to transport audiences back to both the Rumble In The Jungle fight, and the Zaire '74 Festival - which saw acts including James Brown, BB King and Bill Withers perform. The experience will feature live music, food and drink and a recreation of the iconic fight to round off the experience. Sharing the role of Muhammad Ali will be Akil Young and Kimane Juneau - who will both play the iconic boxer due to 'the physical nature of the performance'. Alexander Ajuwon and Joshua C. Jackson - who recently played Joseph Scott in Girl from the North Country, will also share the roles of George Foreman and Joe Frazier. Don King will be played by Elliot Rodriguez, who portrayed Isaiah Jesus in Peaky Blinders: The Rise. Additionally, Guy Kelton-Jones will be playing James Brown, and Max Krupski, who has previously played Jay Gatsby in The Immersive Great Gatsby and the title character in Secret Cinema's Dr. Strangelove. The Zaire '74 Festival will be brought to life by a group of musicians including Rick Leon James, Ezekiel Adje, Laura Impallomeni and Chuks Chiejine. See below for the full cast list... FULL CAST LIST: Akil Young – Muhammad Ali/Duane Charles Kimane Juneau – Muhammad Ali/Duane Charles Alexander Ajuwon – George Foreman/Joe Frazier Joshua C. Jackson – George Foreman/Joe Frazier Safi-Veliora Omar – Promesse Kabamba Nathan Bartman – Evangelos Mboyo Oluwatosin Omotosho – Malaika Tshibola Jacie Kibuka – Constance Nzuzi Elliot Rodriguez – Don King Max Krupski – Stewart Levine/Angelo Dundee Anelisa Lamola – Miriam Makeba Juanita Euka – Celia Cruz Guy Kelton-Jones – James Brown Michael Bunga – Alain ‘Alo’ Kabamba/President Mobutu Randall Alleyne – Bundini Brown McCallam Connell – Dick Sadler Kossim Osseni – Sese Terence Nzaji-Egnie – Mumba/Zac Clayton Tim O’Hara – David Frost Vivien-Chrys Samba – Pierre Ngalamulume Eden Dominique – Josslyn Carter Rick Leon James – Musician, Percussion (MD) Ezekiel Adje – Musician, Bass Laura Impallomeni – Musician, Trombone Chuks Chiejine – Musician, Guitar The show is directed by Miguel Hernando Torres Umba, written by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, and features original music by Femi Temowo. Rumble In The Jungle Rematch opens on 13th September with previews from 8th September at Dock X in Canada Water. For more information visit rumbleinthejunglerematch.com

An immersive staging of 1984 - the classic dystopian George Orwell novel, will open in Hackney Town Hall later this year and will see the historic venue become the Ministry of Truth for a limited run. Audience members will be dressed in blue overalls of 'an outer party member' and be under the scrutiny of the Though Police as they progress through Victory Square and the Ministry of Truth, before ending up in the prole district, where the Ministry doesn't wield much control, to reflect on their experiences. The audience will later take their seats within Hackney Town Hall's Council Chamber - with ticket prices reflecting the different seating options available. 1984 is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell. It follows the story of Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the Outer Party in Oceana, who struggles against the oppression enacted upon him and society. In an act of defiance, he begins to express his thoughts in a diary and pursues a relationship with a colleague named Julia - actions that ultimately lead to their eventual downfall at the hands of the party. The show, which has the approval of the Orwell Estate, is being produced by Pure Expression, and is to be directed by Richard Hahlo and Jem Wall. While no cast has yet been announced, the 75-minute long show will run at Hackney Town Hall from 19th October to 26th November. Historic Experiences has the following on its website concerning the show: Set in a 'post-truth' world, elements of circular narrative will contradict to disorientate and reinforce the transitory nature of truth as we explore the key locations of the classic novel. We expect the show to have both a strong visceral and intellectual impact on guests who may feel a sense of catharsis after their dystopian ordeal, but who will also be left more attuned to the dangers of 'newspeak', 'alternative facts’ and more conscious of the value of democracy itself. The audience will leave feeling they have had both a great night out and an acute warning - that the gap between today’s post-truth environment and the erosion of democracy is not so very far from the world of Big Brother… Tickets start from £17.50. For more information, visit immersive1984.com

Wishmas, a new original experience from the creative team behind Secret Cinema is set to open later this year at 'The Old Bauble Factory' at The Vaults, below Waterloo Station. With an opening date of 14th November 2023, this immersive experience will allow visitors to 'see first-hand what happens to your wonderful wishes and follow them on their magical journey to Father Christmas' and will run for 8 weeks until 7th January 2024. The official description of the event is: Ever wondered where all of your wishes go? For as long as there have been wishes, there has been Wishmas, an enchanted world where wishes take flight. For those who believe, the portal to Wishmas opens its doors for a twinkle in time during the most magical season: Christmas. Wishmas is a fully immersive winter-time experience for all the family. Discover magical realms and meet out-of-this-world characters. See first-hand what happens to your wonderful wishes and follow them on their magical journey to Father Christmas as you share the joy of Wishmas. Secret Cinema was acquired by TodayTix in September 2022 for reportedly more than $100million. Their President and Co-Founder, Merritt Baer, has said the following alongside the announcement of Wishmas: Secret Cinema has been bringing to life fantastical worlds based on beloved films and TV series for over 15 years. Inspired by these cinematic stories, incredible characters, and unforgettable moments, over the years the team has dreamt up countless stories of our own that we’ve always wanted to bring to life. Now, following the acquisition of Secret Cinema by TodayTix Group, we have the platform to be able to make this a reality. With our world-class creative team, we’ve set our sights on Christmas and taking audiences on a magical journey to the heart of our new world… Wishmas. Prepare for a spectacular snow-filled show with a sensational seasonal story and, of course, a sprinkling of secret surprises too… Tickets for Wishmas will be on general sale from 10am on Thursday 15th June via wishmas.co.uk with prices starting from £49.

Rematch, the creators of 2019's 'Wimbledon 1980 Rematch' are returning later this year for their second immersive show - Rumble in the Jungle Rematch, in Canada Water, London. Trailer for Rumble in the Jungle Rematch. Based on the iconic fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali that took place in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1974, the 3-hour immersive experience will culminate in a recreation of the match that will likely incorporate archive footage, video projections and more to immerse visitors into the match. Rematch's previous show - Wimbledon 1980 Rematch, saw them recreate the Men's Final match between Borg and McEnroe at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in 2019. Get a feel for the experience below.... Aftermovie for Wimbledon Rematch 1980. The show runs from 14th September to 10th December at DockX in Canada Water. Tickets for Rumble in the Jungle Rematch are on sale now, starting at £19.74 for preview performances, and £69.50 for regular performances.

ScreamWorks, the immersive company behind Bloodbath - an immersive horror house experience that we reviewed earlier this year, return in October with their second show - The Ghost Hunt. For a limited run between 6th-31st October, ScreamWorks invites you to discover the truth behind a gruesome murder-suicide at their Bethnal Green venue. Perfect for this Halloween season, we've no doubt that ScreamWorks will deliver one of the capitals scariest immersive experiences. The official synopsis is below... In October 1937, a gruesome murder-suicide claimed the lives of all but one member of the Luff family; the body of Arthur, the youngest of the Luff’s three children, was never found. Also missing was Mr Wu, a mysterious lodger who, records show, had only moved into the house a few months prior. While various theories have been proffered to explain how a once happy family found themselves at the centre of this macabre massacre, only their ghosts know what really happened on that fateful day. Under the expert guidance of seasoned ghost hunter and paranormal investigator, Heston Phoenix, explore the haunted corridors of this now abandoned house, relive the Luff family’s final moments and discover for yourselves the secrets that have remained hidden within these dark walls for almost a century. Tickets are available now via theghosthunt.co.uk. Prices start at £45 for standard tickets, with a VIP upgrade available for an additional £10pp. There's also a 41% discount for earlybird tickets, which are only available for the first 1000 tickets booked. ScreamWorks are also opening a family-friendly show, Ghost Detectives, taking place at the same venue between 14th-29th October. For more information, visit ghostdetectives.co.uk