All the world's a stage: Why do people love interactive theatre?

The theatre industry is constantly evolving and 2024 will see new breakthroughs in technology and experimental approaches to the art form that will reinvent and reinvigorate the experience for audiences. Theatre is, after all, entirely focused on how the story is perceived by the crowd and productions are finding new, innovative ways of making shows far more interactive.

Interactivity encourages accessibility and engagement, and there are sure to be some bright new ideas developed as this topic is explored in more detail. While not all of the changes happening across the theatrical industry will be mainstays, it’s encouraging to see performers and creatives embrace unique interactive elements.

Where a show is located fictionally is as important as where the audience witnesses the production. Often, these two things are not compatible. Theatres have limits and that can take viewers out of the world that the producers are trying to craft. A set can only do so much of the heavy lifting, but new immersive staging has changed how the audience is able to interact with the world into which they are transported.

A recent run of Macbeth for example, starring Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma, was staged in warehouses across the country. While it was an unusual choice for the Shakespearean production, it’s one that allowed for a more nuanced experience that played to the themes of this particular interpretation and gave the show a more grungy and gritty feel. 

Mamma Mia! The Party is another modern incarnation of a much-loved show, with an immersive twist. Guests are encouraged to join the festivities, with a specially crafted venue teleporting them to a tranquil Greek island, where the show takes place across the entirety of the space. Accompanied by a themed meal, it’s fascinating to see how each element is used to draw connections to the narrative itself. Immersive staging is ultimately a great way to bring the audience in on the action, and there is limitless potential for future shows if they learn from these successes. 

Audience engagement has been a part of the theatre industry for generations. Indeed, in British culture, the panto is perhaps the most famous example, with performers specifically asking the viewers to join in with the show and shout out to help the heroes.

Some shows have taken this a step further though. Recently, the play The Crown Jewels boasted improvised stand-up comedy segments that specifically required audience collaboration as the performers reacted to the people they spoke with. Their answers or funny quips are then baked into the show, with later callbacks from veterans like Al Murray or Mel Giedroyc providing funny moments that are entirely individual for that particular crowd.

Quiz The Play, which was boosted by a TV iteration, experimented with giving the audience a vote. An electronic voting system was installed in the West End Theatre, encouraging viewers to have their say as the story unfolded. This sense of participation ensured that the audience felt as if they were part of the story, while re-enacting elements from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, upon which the show was based. By pulling the viewers into the show and asking them to actually get involved, it truly grips the crowd and gives them both ownership over the plot while pulling their focus in specific directions. It’s thus a vital tool in the industry’s arsenal. 

Digital tools are also becoming commonly used across the industry, especially after the global pandemic left productions looking for ways to engage with audiences while they were at home. Online shows led to plenty of breakthroughs in this space. The production known as Dream for instance, which brought together groups like the Philharmonia and the Royal Shakespeare Company, allowed the audience to play along with the music digitally. They could choose their instrument and accompany pre-recorded pieces with physical movements or a touchscreen.

Advancements in both virtual reality and augmented reality are also current areas of interest. The Immersive Storytelling Studio from the National Theatre is combining these technologies to find new ways to empower the audience and create experiences unlike anything they have seen before. AR, for example, could be installed in shows as an enhancement of the visuals, while VR will completely immerse the viewer in a digital production, with a 360 degree backdrop. 

The bread and butter of interactive theatre has often been about taking the show to the people. Moving outside the confines of a stage, and portraying the art form on city streets, in shopping malls or in the local park. Massive production companies are continuing to explore these avenues, and there’s no doubt that local performers will also be attempting to tell their stories in an accessible way. Be sure to check out the community festivals and announcements of upcoming performances in your local area, as you’ll be surprised how many opportunities there are to engage with these unique productions.

The theatre industry has more tools than ever at its disposal, and innovation can come from unlikely places. Interactive theatre is driven by a need to pull the audience in closer, and it’s vital that as viewers we’re open and present for that journey.