Review

TITLE: They Only Come At Night: Visions

VENUE: LBT REVIEW: Emma Davison

IN theatre you usually know your place.

No matter how involved you become in the theatrics you are aware of that divide between stage and audience, reality and fiction.

So what happens when the boundaries become blurred, when the comfort blanket of the auditorium seat is whipped away from under you and you become one of the stars of the show?

I found out when on a cold, miserable November evening in Huddersfield when myself – and some more willing volunteers – literally became part of Slung Low’s production They Only Come At Night: Visions.

As night closed around the town, armed only with the information that I had to turn up at the Lawrence Batley Theatre at a certain time, I teetered cautiously into the theatre.

There I joined a group of equally-nervous looking individuals, where rather than take our seats in the auditorium we were ushered over to a military-clad woman and given instructions.

Split into groups of three we were told that the company were not at the theatre and sent on a mission to find them.

Armed with military jackets and glow sticks we were swiftly dispatched back into the darkness to find a secret location near the town centre.

As we entered the building and the steel shutters clanked to an unnerving close behind us, we found ourselves plunged into the world of vampire hunters.

With sinister tales of monsters and shadows lurking in the dark trickling out from the provided headphones, we were told to stick to the trails of salt as we continued our journey through a tunnel.

Disconcerting sounds and unexplained movements surrounding us were teamed with strange encounters, including a young businessman turned vampire hunter.

The blending of digital technology, live performance and music made this part walking tour, part ghost train a thrillingly scary ride.

It was an intense experience, the fast pace and intimate interaction with the superb actors making you feel like you had landed your very own starring role in a zombie/vampire movie.

From the moment you are plucked out of the safety of the theatre, this performance really plays on your fears – of the dark, uncertainties in the world and things that go bump in the night.

The mantra “it’s only theatre” provided little comfort and some quite frightening moments ensured one member of our group left even before the performance really got going.

I definitely breathed a sigh of relief when we were allowed back into the cold night air of Huddersfield.

And while it was great to be part of such a unique theatre experience, I’ve got a feeling I’ll be checking under my bed tonight!

They Only Come At Night: Visions is running until Saturday, with extra late night shows on Friday and Saturday evenings.

For tickets call the LBT box office on 01484 430528.