Interview: Five on Friday with Joshua Ackerman of IMMORTAL at The Castle of Good Hope

IMMORTAL, the first performance of the first immersive theatre experience of its kind in South Africa, took place at The Castle of Good Hope last night, and it is all the brainchild of writer-director Joshua Ackerman. With a love for storytelling instilled in him by his parents and a degree from AFDA specialising in writing, directing and musical scoring at AFDA Film School, Joshua was immediately drawn to this innovative form of storytelling, in which audiences are given the opportunity to navigate their own paths through a performance, when he experienced it overseas. His aim with IMMORTAL is to pioneer immersive theatre in South Africa, with the hope that it will resonate as strongly with audiences here in Cape Town as it has in cities like New York, Los Angeles, London and Shanghai.

David Fick: What inspired you to tell the story of IMMORTAL in this form of a completely immersive theatre experience?

Joshua Ackerman: Immersive experiences are all the rage overseas. It's the future of live entertainment. We want to give audiences the opportunity to lose themselves in a multi-sensory, tactile experience where they can make actual physical contact with the world of the story.

DF: What is it like bringing a piece to an iconic venue like the Castle of Good Hope?

JA: As you say, The Castle is indeed iconic and has so much character. It was also able to provide us with the space we needed to put on a show of this scope.

DF: What has the highlight of your professional career been so far?

JA: Without a doubt, being part of a passionate, dynamic team working around the clock to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life.

DF: What do you think the biggest challenge facing South African theatre is at present?

JA: Unfortunately, with the current socio-economic and political situation in South Africa, theatre is not a high priority. Therefore it's difficult to attract sustainable investment.

DF: In South Africa at this time, we have a huge mix of theatre legends and inspiring new artists. Who is your South African theatre hero?

JA: The set and costume designers and their crew, together with the incredible cast of IMMORTAL.

Tickets for IMMORTAL, which runs until 13 January, cost R335 - R385 and can be booked online through Computicket. Shows start at 19:30, with the Castle of Good Hope opening an hour earlier. A cash bar and refreshments are available at the venue. No one under 18 will be admitted as alcohol will be served on the premises.