Well, Vancouver finally got its own immersive theatre production a la Sleep No More.
It’s called Deep Into Darkness and based on the life and work of Edgar Allan Poe. Being a fan of Poe’s works, my interest was piqued. And since Sean and I had so much fun at Sleep No More in New York, we were game to check it out.
Sidebar: I’m really glad that the team at Third Wheel Productions gave all the props to New York’s Punchdrunk’s experience as their major inspiration. If they hadn’t given credit where credit was due or tried to pass this idea as their own, there’s no way I would’ve supported them. As much as I love Vancouver, we are not a huge player in culture and arts. We follow the leads of other global cities’ cool concepts. And it really bugs when Vancouverites thinks ideas such as this is original. To them, I say, get out more and see the world.
But I digress…
Deep Into Darkness took over The Cultch’s space, transforming 3 floors and 20 rooms, including the hallways, nooks, crannies and Historic Theatre into a crazed Victorian Gothic setting. It’s a good little venue for this experience.
The concept is exactly the same as Sleep No More: guests explore and wander through the rooms, touch the props, or observe and follow the actors in character, performing various non-linear storylines. There were fights scenes, dance scenes, semi-erotic scenes, macabre scenes, and mundane scenes.
How it differs from Sleep No More was that there was no discernible storyline and therefore doesn’t quite deliver. It felt like it was all just atmosphere, the audience witnessing Poe’s fever dream and descent into madness.
If theatre-goers have never experienced Sleep No More, I can understand that they might be wowed, their possible takeaway being that this was a unique and novel experience. But for someone who was completely blown away by Sleep No More, my bar was set higher. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to see an immersive theatre experience in Vancouver, but honestly, it felt very budget and very community theatre-ish.
It could all come down to budget. Mounting and planning for an immersive experience is not cheap. Third Wheel Productions even had to give a call out for the community’s help in financing the project with their Indiegogo campaign.
Overall, it’s a good attempt. And on the upside, perhaps this will herald even bigger and better immersive productions.
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