Review: A HOUSE REPEATED, Brighton Dome

Those of us who have played strategy computer games will be familiar with the frustration of coming across locked doors, retracing our steps and getting lost in a virtual world. A House Repeated plunges the audience into a virtual Brighton Dome and we are encouraged to "explore" by the two guides/narrators (Seth Kriebel and Zoe Bouras).

Written by Kriebel, this immersive theatre piece mimics the style of 1980s interactive-fiction computer games. It began development at Battersea Arts Centre in 2014, and has been adapted into a full-length work for larger audiences.

With simple lighting and a traverse seating arrangement, the audience are split into two teams, facing each other. The groups take it in turns to choose how we explore the Dome, without leaving our seats. With very little briefing it is unclear as to why we are split into two teams and whether we are competing or not.

Kriebel and Bouras guide one team each, standing centre stage and vividly describing each location, giving options as to what we can do - "You can go downstairs, go east, or pick up the key on the ground", for example. They then address an individual in each group as to what they would "like to do" and give each team time to confer before making a decision.

I had hoped there would be a more visual element to the piece in addition to the two actors merely standing in front of us describing the scenes, but it was impressive that they were able to engage the audience in the story for as long as they did without visual aids, just pure storytelling.

The odd fantastical element included in the scenes described by the pair surprises the audience, such as music boxes that open doors to paintings you can step into.

Our two groups' particular narratives ran a little flat (which was partly our doing) when both teams ended up together on the imaginary Brighton Dome stage, not really sure of what to do next. Kriebel and Bouras prompt the teams to move on if necessary, which helps to progress the story.

The repetitiveness is very much in the style of such games, but it did stagnate the piece rather a lot. Though it was interesting to see how a group of strangers thrown together work in a team (most of the time) to travel through the game.

This particular production of A House Repeated, adapted for the Brighton Festival, allows the audience to use their imagination and explore a familiar building in a new way.

A House Repeated at Brighton Dome until 11 May

Photo Credit: Alex Brenner

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