It was unfortunate that I booked for this immersive theatre experience just three days after Operation Black Antler in Brighton, as it turned out it also had an undercover theme, albeit a different one and an altogether lighter one – more of a game.
To start this one you had to stand on a street-corner in SE1 and at the appointed time gain entry to a party via a loading bay with a password. Again we were split into small teams. Our mission was to bring down underworld figure The Don, at his own birthday party. We were recruited to be undercover, but there were attempts to turn us, and we had to choose. Our invented personas were more jokey than the other piece. We interacted with The Don, his wife and henchmen and had tasks to perform in a number of locations around the building.
The characterisations were good, if stereotypical, and the actors performed with gusto. It took a while to warm up though, and some parts were more effective than others. A drug deal fell a bit flat but a robbery was suitably tense. It could have done with more than the eleven participants on the night I went to give it more atmosphere.
In the end I’m not sure it was my thing, and my timing wasn’t good, but I admire CoLab Theatre’s ambition and creativity and I wouldn’t put anyone off from giving it a go, particularly those younger and less immersed in the immersive than me!
Gareth's Culture and Travel Blog 
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