What to expect from immersive theatre

Learn all about what makes an immersive production, how much audience participation is involved, and some of the best London shows to book for now.

While all theatre shows are involving simply because you are sharing the same physical space as the performers, and each show is slightly different depending on that give and take, “immersive theatre” takes that to a whole new level by explicitly incorporating the audience into the production.

That can take the form of the blurring of lines between the traditional stage and the auditorium, such as actors coming into the crowd, or an entirely new theatre set-up, such as the Bridge Theatre’s recent Guys & Dolls and upcoming Midsummer Night’s Dream, or the West End’s Cabaret.

If you’re keen to experience an immersive show, read on for our guide to what it all means, how much you might get involved, and some of the fun immersive shows in London that you can book for now.

What is immersive theatre?

Immersive theatre essentially changes the role of the audience. Instead of being a largely passive observer, watching a show play out with a measure of separation from it, immersive theatre makes you a part of the show’s world, either through production elements or by inviting your active participation.

That changes the relationship between performer and viewer in a really interesting way, and alters the audience’s experience of the piece. You might share a location, instead of seeing it on stage and sitting separately in your seat, or even walk through different locations with those performers.

Some immersive productions have special sensory experiences too, such as changing the room temperature to evoke a particular response, or the lighting, what you can touch, taste or smell.

As the popularity of the immersive experience has grown, lots of mainstream shows are now incorporating some of those elements, while still maintaining traditional structures too. For example, The Baker’s Wife at the Menier Chocolate Factory wasn’t a fully immersive show by any means, but the audience could smell fresh bread and lavender – evocative elements for that story and its location.

How much audience participation is required?

This really varies, as there is now a wide spectrum of shows that come under the “immersive theatre” umbrella. In some cases, you might be given the option of whether or not to participate at all – that participation could only involve a few audience members, and be strictly voluntary.

In other shows, full immersion is a vital part of how that production operates. That is certainly the case for the pioneering company Punchdrunk, whose shows invite audience members to journey through an extensive performance site and interact with various performers – meaning that no two people will have exactly the same experience. It’s a singular adventure.

Some immersive shows also invite audience members to come along in costume – such as donning a flapper dress and headband or spiffy suit and spats for a Great Gatsby bash. It’s a fun way to feel like you’re really entering the story and its world.

However, if you have any concerns about the level of participation, the show or venue will always have that information on its website, or be able to answer those questions if you contact them.

What is the history of immersive theatre in London?

Immersive theatre has skyrocketed in recent years. It was initially quite a niche part of the theatre sector, but ground-breaking work from companies like Punchdrunk saw it grow enormously in popularity.

Punchdrunk was founded in 2000 and rose to fame with must-see immersive productions like 2003’s Sleep No More, a riff on Macbeth with Hitchcockian trappings, staged at the Beaufoy Building in London. More recent offerings include the 2022 show The Burnt City, which explored the fall of Troy via an immersive piece set in Woolwich’s Royal Arsenal.

London has also seen everything from a dining experience based on sitcom Fawlty Towers to Les Enfants Terribles’ Alice’s Adventures Underground and a party for fans of The Great Gatsby, plus Marvel getting in on the action with an immersive Guardians of the Galaxy voyage.

In fact, movies have intersected with theatre in an exciting way in multiple immersive experiences, such as Mamma Mia! The Party, which combines ABBA performances with a Greek island getaway, and the incredible Secret Cinema events, plunging audiences into the worlds of Star Wars and Romeo + Juliet.

What immersive shows can you see in London now?

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The flexibility of the Bridge Theatre gives it the freedom to experiment with immersive elements in its terrific shows. This summer sees the return of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, for which you can book seated or standing tickets – either way, the magical action unfolds all around you, including above with some jaw-dropping aerial acrobatics.

Book A Midsummer Night’s Dream tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical

Relive those summer nights with Secret Cinema’s latest immersive experience, which invites you to enrol at Rydell High. That means not just watching the iconic love story of Sandy and Danny play out, but joining the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds, having fun at the fairground, and grabbing a bite at the American diner. It’s definitely the one that you want.

Book Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular

If watching the Greatest Showman film made you want to run away with the circus, this is your chance. As you enter the Empress Museum, even before you reach the Big Top you’ll find posters for snake charmers, food trucks and fortune teller huts. The show itself features hit songs from the movie as well as gravity-defying trapeze artists and tight-rope walkers.

Book Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Cabaret

Immersive theatre has become part of the West End too. The Playhouse Theatre has been transformed into the Kit Kat Club, so that a visit to Cabaret means not just seeing the incredible musical but also entering a subterranean nightclub, taking a shot, and mingling with the Kit Kat’s sultry denizens in the extensive, thrillingly immersive pre-show.

Book Cabaret tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Photo credit: Angus MacRae, Punchdrunk, Manuel Harlan