A legendary story from the mythical world of Ancient Greece is being brought to life at an unusual venue in Nottingham next month.
‘Apple of Discord’ is the latest immersive production from the pioneering and critically-acclaimed theatre company Chronic Insanity, based in the city.
Artistic Director Joe Strickland aims to provide an experience that rivals the production values of London-based immersive shows from companies like Punchdrunk, but with affordable ticket prices, and has local performers at the heart of the magic.
Chronic Insanity has a glowing 7-year track record producing innovative immersive experiences on a variety of scales. It has previously worked with industry giants such as The BBC, BFI, and Nottingham Playhouse.
‘Apple of Discord’ will take place in the Grade II listed People’s Hall in the heart of Nottingham City Centre. This stunningly preserved, 18th century townhouse has three floors, with an ornate central staircase, cellars and subterranean caves. The site has had many uses over the years, including a working men’s club, a textile training school, and a meeting place for the fraternal lodge – ‘The Antediluvian Order of the Buffalo’. Rich in history and dripping with character, it is an ideal location for an interactive production.
This new and dramatic experience of the world of the Trojan War will take place over multiple rooms in the building, with a cabaret in the main hall, static exhibitions in other rooms, and live immersive and interactive performances to transport audiences along the way.
Visitors can grab a drink, enjoy the cabaret and watch scenes and stories unfold, or they can tackle quests and solve puzzles themselves, and even talk to the Ancient Greek characters. They will also be free to move between different levels of engagement at their own pace, to tailor their own experience of the legendary story of Troy.
Joe Strickland says: “For the audience, it’s not about seeing all of it necessarily. The point is to immerse yourself in a new world, and know that around every corner there’s going to be something interesting to do, to see, and take part in if you’d like to.”
People’s Hall is managed by Nottingham Historic Building Trust, a National Lottery-funded charity committed to saving at-risk heritage assets across Nottingham. They are delighted to host Chronic Insanity, and their Development Officer Josh Packham says: “What I particularly liked about Chronic Insanity’s pitch is how the story will be flexible to the spaces we have. This is an excellent opportunity to invite residents and tourists of Nottingham to experience The People’s Hall like never before.”
Strickland has intentionally pitched ‘Apple of Discord’ as an accessible and affordable offer from the usually expensive world of immersive theatre. The industry has a reputation for eye-watering ticket prices, not to mention the additional costs of travel, food and accommodation for anyone outside London.
By comparison, ‘Apple of Discord’ will offer 3-hour tickets for £30 and 2-hour tickets for £20. With cheaper travel costs for people living close to Nottingham, and the wealth of food options in the city centre, the experience will be much more affordable than events in the capital.
Strickland says: “We are trying to create something that is often inaccessible financially and geographically to people in the East Midlands. Our mission is to widen participation in this exciting form of theatre. The people of this area deserve to experience this wonderful art form. There’s no question that ‘Apple of Discord’ will be the ‘must-see’ show in Nottingham this Spring.”
Tickets for the show can be booked through the following link: https://www.universe.com/
