Theatre Review: Revolution

Created by Exit Theatre

Directed by Joe Ball Game
Designer: Kai Oliver
Performed by Peter Dewhurst and Lauren Gibson
Visuals by Brendan O’Rourke
Synopsis: Revolution only happens if you are in it!  We the people have had enough.  We the people will no longer be lied to.  We the people believe it is time for Revolution.    London is in full Revolution. You are the only one that can save us.

Review: If there was one piece of theatre that felt timely, this would be it. Without wanting to get too heavy, we're living in an interesting political climate with discord and disagreement spread amongst the people. What if this elevated. What if it got to the point where 1664 came round again in civil outbreak...or rather REVOLUTION.

But this is more than just a piece of theatre, it is an experience that puts you in the heart of the matter, and the clock is ticking. Will there be harmony, can we create a utopia or will it feel like we're in The Purge: London. 

Set in a 'Grotty' cellar you felt a part of the piece, it felt like the London above had changed and you were in this deconstructed environment on the verve of something new...building a future. Setting in something like this is key, and here they hit the nail on the head.

Part game, part immersive theatre Revolution draws on all the strategy games you've loved and puts you in control in real time, adapting and changing as you make decisions. You get what you put into this game and I found that I jumped in deep. I took on the beliefs of my faction and played to my strengths. Words and personality. These i hoped would be crucial to the revolution and success. All good politicians can speak circles around everyone right ;-). Time was an important element here and it felt, as I always find with immersive theatre, that it was flying by and I wanted more.

The interesting nature of this game is what is does for you, the way it makes you think. You have to consider not only your own opinions, but the actions of those around you and the belief of your faction. How do your beliefs change, how do you present yourselves. This latter played an important part, it was fascinating to see how people reacted as the game developed. With every action there was reaction and this changed dramatically over the course of the game. I looooved how my team had a clear vision and we all knew how and why we operated and could act independently but as one. The amazing thing about this game is the unexpected! You have no idea what the other team is about to say or do, and you have to roll with that. Not only do you have to roll with that but the actors have to take this in their stride like this is the exact thing they expected you to say. How do you rehearse for that! HOW! I bow down to you sirs. This unknown creates excitement, tension, brings the teams together and makes for some very memorable moments. The amount of times I laughed through pure enjoyment of the ridiculousness of the ideologies I was hearing. It was like the cherry on top of the cake.

This was one of those experiences where I went in, not knowing what to expect, and had everything blown out of the water. I played the game and came out the other side, but I want to play it again!

Revolution is on until July 22nd and tickets can be found here: https://www.designmynight.com/revolution