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Hunted: ‘pervasive theatre’ in the streets of SE1

If you see people emerging from Waterloo Station wearing headphones and appearing to follow the direction of voices in their head, they may well be taking part in CoLab Theatre's new 'pervasive theatre' show.

Hunted: ‘pervasive theatre’ in the streets of SE1

The show got a publicity boost at the weekend after the police sent five armed response vehicles in response to reports of screaming and gunfire.

Having seen (and heard) the show I can understand why the neighbours might have been worried someone was really being hurt.

Hunted is very much a show of two halves.

Part one involves scampering through the streets of Waterloo and the Borough. The best part of an hour had gone by before we saw any of the cast in the flesh.

The pace picks up in the second half at CoLab Theatre's main venue and there is plenty of action and jeopardy.

There's a safeword if you're not comfortable with being shot at or tied up.

As someone who doesn't usually enjoy roleplay and prefers to blend into the background, I was apprehensive about Hunted but I needn't have worried – it was immersive without being overwhelming.

The storyline – involving secret agents, vaccines and poisons – felt rather under-developed.

So long as you are not expecting anything too profound, the show is a fun, energetic and memorable experience.

What you're not told before you book your tickets is that you will need a smartphone, headphones and be prepared to spend money on a zone 1 tube journey as part of the show.

Hunted continues until Saturday 19 November.

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