Redemption Room, 4 March 2021 ***1/2

 

THEATRE VIRTUAL

By Secret Theatre

Online via Zoom

February 26 - March 13, 2021. Various times (See AED dates)

Tickets via Eventbrite

Reviewer: Kate Herbert on 4 March 2021

Stars:***1/2

You can’t escape the Dark Entity in Redemption Room, a wild, hilarious and, by the end, scary live and interactive theatre experience.

 

This is fun, immersive, online theatre created and directed by Richard Crawford for UK company, Secret Theatre.

 

Rex Shakespeare (probably not his real name) is an effusive game show host who introduces guest ‘celebrities’, all of whom have been disgraced in different ways, and want to atone, apologise or seek redemption for their transgressions.

 

These dislikeable narcissists join the show from their homes to reveal their worst fears and their past sins. Then we, the audience, judge them by voting in a Zoom poll.

 

Harry Bevoor, a disgraced UK MP accused of sexual harassment, loves hunting wild animals. Addison Black is drug cheat Olympian (New York), Marlon Williams a comedian (Sydney), Wendy Tai (Hong Kong) ‘danced on the grave of Donald Trump’, and Aziz Khan (Mumbai), is a DJ hounded for ‘ghosting’ his lovers.

 

A sixth contestant, Izzy, is chosen from the audience – or so it seems.

 

The audience participates by commenting in the Zoom Chat, and their snide remarks make the show even more entertaining.

 

But, when Wendy faces her greatest fear, a séance with a ouija board, a dark entity enters the narrative, and the celebs face real and violent judgement. Does anyone received redemption or is vengeance ours?

 

I laughed and squealed throughout the hour, but it got scary in the last minutes, particularly when the Dark Entity said my name!  My NAME!

 

Redemption Room is a hoot! Get a cuppa and log on for a wacky ride!

 

by Kate Herbert

 

NB: There is a 2020 movie called Host that has a similar structure and plot. Not sure which came first.