The best new Immersive Theatre booking for 2022
From gods and secrets in Ancient Troy to busting crime in 80’s shoulder pads, a plethora of fabulous new immersive shows are on the horizon in London for 2022.
It’s set up to be a cracking year. See below for my picks for hot tickets that are booking now and who knows, I might see you there!
This is just a list of what’s currently booking - there’s also some shows that are announced but haven’t released details yet. Do signup to my newsletter to hear the latest!
The Burnt City
GQ named Punchdrunk the world’s leading immersive theatre company, which is pretty difficult to argue with. The company that brought Shanghai and New York Sleep No More is back in London after a hiatus of seven years (for a full on production anyway) to bring us a spine-tingling, neon-dripping ancient world in The Burnt City and at ten years in the making it looks like their most ambitious show yet:
“In the smouldering promise of the fall of Troy, a mythical world of Gods and mortals rises from the ashes.
As Greece teeters on the brink of victory, the neon backstreets of Downtown Troy give way to a sprawling labyrinth hiding secrets even the prophecies could not foretell.
In this colossal playground, the furies watch on as mortals play out their fate.
And as night falls, the city comes alive.
One last time.”
Booking: 22 March - 28 August 2022
Viper Squad
After a successful Kickstarter round, Schematic Theatre is bringing a live version of their deliciously 80s, award winning show Viper Squad to London:
”It’s 1988. New York City. A team of dangerous criminals are attempting to pull off the biggest heist in history… only one thing can stop them: You!
Welcome to the VIPER SQUAD! Choose your weapons. Gather valuable intelligence. Negotiate with dangerous criminals. Can your squad be the ultimate crime-stopping heroes?
Think you’ve got what it takes? Welcome to the party!”
Booking: January 27 to March 27 2022
Bridgerton Ball
Masters of immersive screen experiences Secret Cinema has teamed up with Fever to bring us a Regency ball in the world of Bridgerton. There will be dresses, there will be dancing, there might even be a passable lookalike of Regé-Jean Page. If the pre-show online experience is anything to go by, this looks like a corker:
“As guests at this delightful yet scandalous soirée you will be part of the luscious life of the most disreputable echelons of 1813 England. The Friends of Lady Whistledown invite you to a magnificent evening of performance, surprise, and perhaps other less-refined activities...
Equipped with your own backstory and quest, each person has a unique journey through the show and leaves with indelible memories. Not only will Lady Whistledown´s Society Ball be the society party of the season, it will be unlike anything you have ever experienced before.“
Tickets: £49 - £129 (latter for VIP)
Booking: 15 February to 27 March
Tomb Raider: The Live Experience
The creators of the celebrated Crystal Maze are back and taking over what looks like half of Camden market to bring us Tomb Raider. The experience includes FIVE worlds, including an icy Finish tundra, a sinking ship out at sea and the Costa Rican jungle. Can. Not. Wait:
“Adventure in real-life with the iconic Lara Croft and dive into the world of Tomb Raider. Your mission? Save the world.
Lara has made a deadly discovery about a powerful ancient artifact. But she's not the only one looking for it, and if it falls into the wrong hands it could spell the end of mankind.
Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience will give you the chance to become a part of the legend, where YOU are the hero.
Your mission will have you globe-trotting, chasing villains, and using your wits on mental and physical challenges so you and your team can save the day.
Are you ready to become a Tomb Raider?”
Booking: 1 April to 31 December
The Gunpowder Plot
You may love fireworks and V for Vendetta but do you actually know the story of Guy Fawkes?
Layered Reality and Historic Royal Palaces are bringing audiences the chance to be part of history with a combination of live theatre and technology. And this is set at The Tower of London no less - sounds like any history buff’s dream:
“London, 1605. A city divided. The fuse of rebellion is lit. The peace of the nation balances on a knife edge...
Step into a world where spies and informants hide in every shadow.
Your mission is to go undercover and unmask the mysterious figures behind history’s most infamous plot. But when you’re surrounded by ‘traitors’ who can you trust?”
Dirty Dancing
Start practising your lifts, Secret Cinema are not bringing just one, but two experiences to London in 2022. After months of plague-postponement Dirty Dancing, an outdoor extravaganza, will finally be coming opening its doors in July:
“Dust off your dancing shoes and turn up the radio. It’s time to make up for all you've missed out on...
The year is 1963 and the night is young. At Kellerman's, your everyday life will be nothing but a distant memory. Shake those hips at a Cha Cha lesson with Johnny or join the battle of the power ballads with an exotic cocktail in hand.
Whispers are sweeping through the Catskills. Rumours of secret rhythms, just off the beaten path. Do you dare follow the temptation and sneak out after dark?”
The Vaults Festival
(Update - 15 January)
The Vaults, a central London theatre famed for being an incubator for new immersive talent, was going to be back in 2022 but in January sadly cancelled its run.
When I more about the festival and individual immersive acts, I’ll post!
Arkham Asylum
For those of you who have followed this blog for some time, you’ll know I really can’t deal with anything scarier than a kitten dressed up for halloween, but I might make an exception to go on an adventure with Batman in Department Studios, Myriad Entertainment and Warner Bros’ Arkham Asylum:
“Set in a vast, multi-sensory recreation of the notorious psychiatric hospital, Arkham Asylum is an epic alternate reality, fusing futuristic technology and interactive theatrics. A wholly original story, audiences come face to face with the heroic and villainous inhabitants of Gotham City to create an unforgettable experience.
Brought to you by Department Studios and Myriad Entertainment, in partnership with Warner Bros Themed Entertainment, and DC Comics. Be prepared to play your part in a true World-first; a mind blowing Batman encounter.”
