Doctor Who fans, get to the Tardis – for transportation to an ambitious immersive theatre experience set to launch next year.
Featuring Daleks, Cybermen and Time Lords, Doctor Who: Time Fracture goes back to 1940 during the Blitz, with a mysterious weapon destroying a small corner of London’s Mayfair and opening a rift in space and time.
The immersive element means the audience members become participants in the experience, rather than just spectators. And with Earth as we know it at stake, this could be your chance to be the hero.
Fancy taking on a Dalek or two?
Enlisted by the Unified Intelligence Task Force (Unit), those involved will apparently visit “impossible places, confronting menacing monsters and ancient aliens along the way”.
Diehard fans will get to take part, along with audience members who can drop in from the street outside, organisers say.
The show has been created by Immersive Everywhere, the team behind the long-running immersive theatre production of The Great Gatsby, and is licensed by BBC Studios.
Director Tom Maller, who worked on Secret Cinema’s productions of Casino Royale, 28 Days Later and Blade Runner, writer Daniel Dingsdale, whose credits include Stardust and The Drop Off, and BBC consultant James Goss, who worked on Torchwood, are also involved.
“Drawing from the rich legacy of Doctor Who, which spans over half a century, we are creating an adventure that will entertain both fans that have immersed themselves in the show’s universe for years, and audience members who will walk in from the street having never seen an episode,” Mr Dingsdale said.
“It’s going to be an absolute blast.”
Jodie Whittaker is the latest on-screen incarnation of the Doctor. Pic: BBC/Colin Hutton
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Louis Hartshorn, joint chief executive of Immersive Everywhere, said that despite current coronavirus restrictions, the project is set to launch as planned in 2021.
“We can’t wait for audiences to step into the world of The Doctor, and find themselves closer to the action than ever before, in this expansive and ambitious new show,” he said.
“Based on everything we know now, we are confident that Doctor Who: Time Fracture will be able to go ahead as planned in early 2021 and will be taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our audiences and full creative team.”
Time Fracture will take place at Immersive LDN, a former military drill hall dating back to 1890, from 17 February 2021 to 11 April 2021, and will adhere to social distancing measures. There will also be a free preview for care workers.