Cards on the table: I am a huge fan of immersive theatre. So, when I saw immersive pioneers Factory 42 had teamed up with Almeida Theatre and Sky to create ‘Lost Origin’, I was sold.
The mission?
In groups of six, participants turn undercover investigators as part of Wing 7 to crack an illegal dark web marketplace.
The location of the experience in Hoxton Docks sets the scene. It’s a rundown building on the fringes of East London’s trendy nightlife. Greeted by special ops, you and your group are briefed on the mission and then taken off by Marsha, a crack coder with a slightly unstable personality.
The experience fuses technology, performance and incredible set design in a 60-minute journey which sees you immerse yourself in solving the mystery. The different room themes are ambitious with exceptional detailing and special effects, showcasing the obvious talents of this production team with credits spanning The Hobbit, The Matrix, Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.
Like any good story, the ‘Lost Origin’ plot is bigger than what you at first expect and the audience is able to explore this mixed-reality experience and discover intriguing secrets as they go along. I’m not going to spoil the surprise, but I will say their use of Augmented Reality is far and beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before.
When it comes to the real life acting, the actors are magnificent. At no stage do they drop their guard and maintain their characters superbly – both as part of the storyline and improv.
This collaborative effort is definitely one to watch and I look forward to seeing more adventures from this outstanding creative team.
Lost Origin runs at Hoxton Docks 21st November – 4th December 2021
See website: www.lostorigin.co.uk #LostOriginExperience #ExpectTheUnexpected
Reviewer: Samantha Collett
Reviewed: 12th November 2021
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★