About this episode

The episode explores the evolution of theatre into a participatory art form and the societal implications of immersive experiences.

How did theatre evolve from exclusive, elite entertainment into a truly public, participatory art form? Why do modern audiences crave experiences that go beyond observation to full immersion and what does that say about society, technology, and the future of storytelling? To mark the 50th anniversary of London’s National Theatre, Sarah Dowd sits down with Fiona Porritt, Senior Creative Producer at Les Enfants Terribles, the innovative company behind spectacular immersive productions like Alice’s Adventures Underground and United Queendom . Together, they trace the arc from 18th-century riotous audiences, political spectacle, and morally contested playhouses to contemporary immersive theatre where the audience becomes part of the action. Highlights: 00:00 From Garrick and Sheridan to mass spectacle: theatre’s transformation 01:44 Audiences as agitators: riots, protest, and who culture belongs to 03:10 The rise of immersive and participatory performance 05:28 Inspired by school panto and the opening ceremony of the Olympics 09:23 Discovering and and working with Les Enfants Terribles 13:30 Why audiences crave participation 15:46 What actually makes theatre “immersive”? 20:04…

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Dowd

Guest: Fiona Porritt

Topics covered

• immersive theatre
• audience participation
• theatre history
• cultural evolution
• storytelling
• political spectacle

Keywords

• immersive theatre
• audience participation
• theatre history
• Les Enfants Terribles
• cultural evolution
• storytelling
• Olivier Awards
• Edinburgh Fringe

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Les Enfants Terribles

Books & works: Alice’s Adventures Underground, United Queendom, Romeo

Places: London

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