Creators: The Company

Director: Mel Cook

Reviewer: Tracey Lowe

The Public Reviews Rating:

Immersive theatre is spontaneous, unruly and unpredictable. Each person will experience different things, and take something unique from the performance. With this in mind, I would suggest if you intend on seeing ‘Borderline Vultures’, please do not continue reading this review. The less you know about the piece the better, as working out just what is going on is half the fun.

Audience members are given a secret meeting point, where their journey begins. They are met by a representative from Syntech Solutions, a mysterious organisation, who hands them a letter explaining that they have been headhunted by the company. They are then led to Syntech’s research facility, where the “recruitment process” commences.

The research facility is where the fun happens. Audience members are given free reign of the property, and there are some wonderful things to explore. Each room is full of intriguing and curious objects. The design team has created something quite magical. But the catalyst that makes the experience so enthralling is the cast, who play Syntech employees. With the majority of the characters not speaking English, their interaction is mostly physical, and takes real involvement from the audience. It is great to see Matthew Ganley and Susi Wrenshaw make an appearance, following their brilliant work in Happystorm’s ‘The Crypt Project’. Meline Danielewicz was also very impressive. It must take immense concentration to perform in an unscripted piece, where you are at the mercy of the audience’s willingness to participate, so all the cast must be commended.

It takes a while to get your head around what is happening, but once it clicks it is very rewarding. The more you choose to immerse yourself, the more you will take away from it. The ending is particularly joyous, and a complete surprise. If you consider yourself to be a very passive audience member, maybe this isn’t right for you. However, if you want something unique, fun and challenging, this may be the experience you are looking for.

Runs until 28th October

Tags: Borderline Vultures, Drama, Happystorm Theatre, Immersive theatre, InOnTheAct, Lowry, Matthew Ganley, Mel Cook, Salford, Susi Wrenshaw, Theatre