With evening performances usually starting around 8pm, we sometimes find ourselves with barely enough time to scoff down a post-work dinner before rushing to the theatre. Interactive Theatre – which operates in Australia and the UK – solve that problem by incorporating a meal into their productions. This month, they’ll be bringing in two interactive shows: Faulty Towers and The Wedding Reception. Artistic director Alison Pollard-Mansergh tells us more about both.
Faulty Towers
Faulty TowersPhoto: Ron Rutten
Synopsis
This pitch-perfect tribute to the TV series Fawlty Towers starts as the audience wait to be seated, then hurtles along as they’re served a three-course meal by hotel owner Basil, his wife Sybil and Spanish waiter Manuel – Fawlty-style, of course!
Interactive elements
Audiences will be greeted personally by Basil, seated by Manuel, and serenaded by Sybil.
Faulty TowersPhoto: Ron Rutten
On the menu
Tomato soup for starters, roasted baby chicken for mains, and cold lemon tart for dessert.
The best lines
Basil: Have you ever heard of the Black Death?
Manuel: Is dessert?
Basil: No, Manuel, it’s not dessert. It was very popular in the Middle Ages. [Turns to older member in audience] Wasn’t it?
Faulty Towers is at Raffles Hotel until Apr 10.
The Wedding Reception
The Wedding ReceptionPhoto: Alex Brenner
Synopsis
Meet the bride and groom, their family and their friends in this interactive comedy, during which the audience becomes part of a roller-coaster journey full of food, fun and surprises.
Interactive elements
Audiences get to throw confetti, become a bridesmaid/cake-maker/dress-maker, take pictures of the happy couple, and dance.
The Wedding ReceptionPhoto: Alex Brenner
On the menu
Mini-frittata for starters, roast chicken breast or roast beef for mains, and wedding cake for dessert.
Best Lines
Marge: Oh, here we go again. I had a singing career, I had a record contract, I had sex with Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet who may or may not be the father of my child. Yes, we’ve heard it all before!
Will: What? Martin Kemp, what?!
The Wedding Reception is at Raffles Hotel on Apr 15 & 16.