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| Come Bargain with Uncanny Things – Virtually Opera, COLAB Tower (Photo: Claire Shovelton) |
In September last year I interviewed director and writer Leo Doulton [see my interview] and one of the topics we touched on was his interest in interactive storytelling including The Uncanny Things Trilogy which was then a work in progress. Now Virtually Opera are presenting all three interactive operas at COLAB Tower during March.
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| Come Bargain with Uncanny Things Virtually Opera, COLAB Tower (Photo: Claire Shovelton) |
Described as the world’s only interactive immersive operas, with rich lore, total audience freedom, and a commitment to creating communities with audiences, at each performance the audience’s choices will develop the ongoing world of the show, forming a uniquely growing experience.
The three shows share the same setting one where supernatural creatures still flicker in the corner of your eye, giving gifts and sickness, able to bind and be bound.
The audience-community decide how to change their lives by mastering rituals, crafting offerings, and negotiating with these beings. The fully-improvised music shifts and changes as the audience change the world, making their magic feel real.
In Come Bargain With Uncanny Things, a ritualistic gathering tries to solve local problems.
In the comedic Come Worship Our Uncanny King, people brought into an Uncanny Thing’s court try to win favour.
The trilogy closes with the tragic Come Murder An Uncanny Thing, the community deciding what justice looks like for a captive, dangerous, and powerful being.
The trilogy has been evolving since 2022, and this is the first time it has been presented complete.
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| Come Worship Our Uncanny King – Virtually Opera, COLAB Tower (Photo: Claire Shovelton) |
The trilogy has been created by Leo Doulton, with designs by Charley Ipsen and with Erika Gundesen as music advisor. The performers are CN Lester, Sarah Griffin, Amy Kearsley, Hestor Dart, and Maggie Vaz Neto. Virtually Opera is presenting The Uncanny Things Trilogy at COLAB Tower, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London until 30 March 2025.
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| Come Murder An Uncanny Thing – Virtually Opera, COLAB Tower (Photo: Claire Shovelton) |
Full details from the website.
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| Come Murder An Uncanny Thing – Virtually Opera, COLAB Tower (Photo: Claire Shovelton) |
