• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Ed Fringe

Invisible Treasure at Ovalhouse

November 10, 2015 by Alex Wood Leave a Comment

Review of: Invisible Treasure
Produced by:
fanSHEn
Price:
SOLD OUT

Reviewed by: Alex Wood
Rating:
3
On November 10, 2015
Last modified:November 13, 2015

Summary:

Despite some flaws, Invisible Treasure exists as a fantastic show, and shows the exciting direction theatre is moving towards.

More Details

Any piece of theatre that attempts to do something fun, exciting or bold has to be commended. In that respect, FanSHEN’s Invisible Treasure as part of the Ovalhouse’s FABULISM season, is a wonderful experience – ‘no actors, no plot’ are apparently all you need to have a good time. A group of 20-30 individuals are led into a small, seemingly inescapable box, where they are subjected to a series of tests by a faceless computer screen. There’s also a giant stuffed rabbit in the corner. As time progresses, the challenges become more elusive and confusing, leading the audience to question exactly why they are there, what does it mean to be subjected to these tests, and, ultimately, how easy would it be to disobey their orders?

The play is incredibly refreshing in its concept. Audiences are granted a new form of agency, capable of influencing their own theatrical experience as they decide what to do and what not to do. It is a deeply experimental piece – projection, recording, looping and motion sensitivity are used to great effect and no doubt a great deal of trial and error went into refining what could easily be a technical disaster. fanshen2

What was most striking, emerging after 70 minutes of treasuring invisible concepts, was that the process had unified the audience. Smiles were exchanged, goodbyes were wished, and a fostering of community had begun within a confined box – an incredibly powerful result.

However, something seemed irksome about Invisible Treasure. The show’s intention was to show its audience how a subversion of obedience, and breaking from the shackles of our virtual reality was a means of creating freedom for ourselves. No doubt the audience experience will differ from day to day, but on this one evening what emerged was not an active defiance of the wishes of the testers, but instead a frustrated resignation that there was no idea what the screen wanted – people were running all over the place, trying to find a solution, almost wishing beyond anything to be able to please the screen and the giant, artificial bunny rabbit. Rather than managing to subvert authority, the vast majority of the audience instead were trying desperately to please their faceless masters.

All of this made the end result seem slightly abrupt. No doubt the show and fanSHEN will tinker with the formula to provide the most suitable audience experience, but it seems that a little more clarity may turn this show into an incredible piece of experimentalism. Nevertheless, Invisible Treasure still exists as a fantastic show, and shows the exciting direction theatre is moving towards.

Invisible Treasure runs until the 14th November.

Direction/Concept Dan Barnard and Rachel Briscoe

Design Cécile Trémolières

Lighting Design Joshua Pharo and Gillian Tan

Composer Richard Hammarton

Associate Producer Jo Mackie

Software Developer Chris Mullany

Production Manager Sam Clear

Developed by Barra Collins, Clare Dunn, Shireen Mula, Ed Richards, Delme Thomas

Image: Cat Lees

Alex Wood

Author: Alex Wood

Alex is the former reviews editor at Theatre Bubble, but since changing position now contributes occasionally. He has been writing reviews for a number of years, as well as seeing his own shows performed. He has produced and marketed a number of performances at venues in London, Oxford, Edinburgh, including the world premiere of Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke.

Filed Under: Review

Join the discussion Cancel reply

NEWS / Living Record Festival of digital arts announces programme

Living Record Festival is a month-long Digital Arts Festival curating and presenting over 40 original pieces from a range of [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Open Bar on A ChristMESS CAROL

Tell us about Open Bar Theatre and also how you came about and how the name came about. OBT: Open Bar [Read More]

NEWS / Ayomide Adegun awarded The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2020

22 year old South Londoner Ayomide Adegun is currently in his 2nd year of the BA Acting course at Royal [Read More]

NEWS / Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels announced

A new play repurposed for online viewing from the creative team behind Scrounger, and the first of the Finborough Theatre’s [Read More]

NEWS / Crimes Against Christmas becomes an audio advent calendar

Typically at this time of year theatre company New Old Friends would have just finished an Autumn tour and be [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Katy Owen: Auditioning for Oxford School of Drama
  • Katy Owen: LAMDA Audition (First Round)
  • Boudica at Shakespeare's Globe
  • A Streetcar Named Desire- A cry of pain- Young Vic
  • Forced Entertainment announce new award in memory of Huw Chadbourn
  • Katy Owen: How to Apply to Drama Schools*
  • How to Applying for Arts Grants and Funding
  • Alex Wood

    Alex Wood
    Contributor

  • November 10th, 2015
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2021 · Blue Pie Media

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!