CroydonWrites

UPDATE: all the CroydonWrites reviews are now published on this site.
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We tried out something new this year, a critical writing project called CroydonWrites. An open call solicited interest from six local writers who have been watching all the shows and working with Tom Black (an editor at the Croydon Citizen), to help hone their skills. The reviews will get their own page on this website (eventually) and some have already started appearing in the Croydon Citizen, but we thought you might like to see what Rekha Shane had to say about Land of Nod, before it hits the stands:


Parabolic Theatre Company / Land of Nod

A dead body in a back alleyway, a man on the run, a drug ring with links to the occult; welcome to Land of Nod.

This is a two hour immersive theatre production in which the audience play members of the press (no journalistic experience required) who are helping the police in their investigations. But unlike conventional theatre you control what path to follow in this megalith of a production. With multiple characters and locations you’re told at the outset that you will only see about 20% of the show in its entirety. But it’s still hard not to pout like a diva when your fellow participants recount stories of where they’ve just been. Cut yourself some slack because you’ll have to reframe your ideas about theatre here. This isn’t about watching a whole plot unfold in front of you. This is about spontaneous, interactive theatre which you get to tinker with. 

The show is delivered by a brilliant cast who take to their interactive roles with ease, swapping realistic banter with the audience as they play out their stories on the streets of Croydon.

If you’re looking for a night out with a difference then you couldn’t do much better than Land of Nod. Just remember, you can’t see it all tonight, but there’s always tomorrow. Now where’s that link to the box office again…?
 
****
4 stars
 
Review by Rekha Shane