Nothing can prepare you for this brilliantly devilish show! I had high expectations for my first interactive theatre experience, and made a promise to myself that I would interact and participate as much as possible. It was split into two 50 minute games. This high octave choose your own adventure game is performed by John Robertson in a rowdy, hilarious and rude character guaranteed to make you laugh. From the beginning foul mouthed and hilarious, I would definitely say this is a show for the older kids!
John Robertson quickly jumps out in a larger than life persona, immediately bringing non stop chuckles from the audience in a get up of grey jeans, biker boots, a corset, shoulder pads, fairy lights and long bleach blonde hair.
We begin the dark room in a blackout theatre with John holding a torch to his face, bringing spooky feels to his already slightly scary character, he invites volunteers to play the multiple choice, choose-your-own adventure game. There were quickly hands up to volunteer from more confident audience members, he made sure that everyone who participated had a chance to pick up a prize from his table of retro prizes, rubbish and charity shop finds. I myself later came away with a retro Sonic & Knuckles game for a Mega Drive!
The game was split into 3 rounds: a 1 player round where you can have a go at trying to make your way out of the dark room but everyone was eventually met with a spirited chorus of ‘Ya die! Ya die! Ya die!’ Something me and my friend particularly enjoyed joining in with. The second round was a round where two players took turns in picking the different options, which I volunteered to play in the second game after the interval, and a third democracy round where the audience screamed the option they wanted and the loudest voice won!
I enjoyed the first half hugely and spent it all absolutely creasing up. John was absolutely hilarious, his dark and dirty humour bringing out the fun side of everyone and the audience really felt like one team against John and his game.
John’s improv skills really shined throughout this whole performance and his quick quips at everyone’s age and employment line made everyone laugh. With of course some one liners save for the Isle of Wight and our local internet provider, WightFibre.
In the interval, there was some absolutely awesome merch for sale, but sadly nothing in my size. John was running around with his live stream, but once most of us were back seated we played an impromptu game of ‘ooo…aaa…whistle’ where the stage manager turned the projector on and off and someone whistled.
The second half was even more informal than the first, with John in and out of character as he learned more about his audience, and his shock when he realised there was a thirteen year old sitting in the darkness! The second half was more of the first, and I had so much fun in my go of the game! I felt my prize was pretty decent compared to some of the others too!
Overall, a fabulous dark humoured show, which I would 100% recommend watching for anyone with a good sense of humour willing to have a laugh and a go.
Review written by Lily Boudewijn.
