Witch!

“Immersive” entertainment is still such a new field that it doesn’t have a formal definition. When I talk about it as a hobby, I often have to give my own definition. This can be exciting because there is so much diversity in what kind of shows are being produced! It also means that sometimes what you think of “immersive” may not line up with someone else’s idea, and you’re in for a surprise. “Witch!” was one of those surprises for me.

Double, Double

The Downtown Repertory Theater was largely a traditional theater troupe until a few years ago. Catching the buzz of immersive theater, they expanded their scope and performed The Assassination of Edgar Allan Poe in 2019. I attended that show for fun, not as press, and I quite enjoyed it, especially the finale. I didn’t realize that Witch! was the same company until I’d already committed to attending, but it was a pleasant discovery.

This year, they present the almost-true story of Witch! It’s not about spooky Halloween witches, but based on the real-life witch panic in England in the 1600’s. Think of it like Salem in the US, only even more old-world. Many of the characters and scenes are from real history, meticulously researched by director Devon Armstrong. As such, it’s more educational than you’d expect from a creepy October show. The sense of setting is very well done, and without any gimmicks, the actors are able to fully focus on their performances, all of which are convincing.

Toil

I am most excited to talk about the structure. The audience started out close to 40 members, but was continuously split, merged, and divided in a dizzying dance of logistics. With a venue as ominous (and well-lit) as the Mountain View Mausoleum, there is so much space to cover, and the troupe took advantage of every nook. You will be on your feet for nearly the full 2.5-hour runtime, often walking or ascending stairs. Each time the audience is broken up, different scenes and different characters are shown to those small groups. You will never see the whole story, but you will see the big moments that act as a framework, when everyone comes together before being separated again. In that way, you will get enough information to piece together the plot, while getting glimpses into specific characters and moments that others won’t get.

Sometimes, you will even experience a scene that nobody else sees. These “one on ones,” with just you and a single actor, are a highlight but also a potential source of frustration. I desperately wanted to be one of the chosen ones. However, I could see no way to make myself more prominent. Eye contact and proximity didn’t work. I was getting downright panicky when we passed the halfway point. Fortunately, a character soon told me to stand aside and wait. It paid off with a glorious scene from one of the main characters, speaking just to me. These lucky individuals are marked with pentagram pendants around their necks, to ensure everybody is chosen once. With 38 different “one on one” scenes, that is probably enough for each member of the audience to get a special moment. What a great idea to ensure a semblance of fairness! Some other shows feel like the same people are repeatedly chosen, but not Witch!

And Trouble

This is where that opening sentiment about expectations not lining up comes back in. When I hear the word “immersive,” that conveys to me a sense of participation. I want to feel like I’m part of a story, not simply a watcher. Witch! isn’t that kind of immersive. It utilizes many fun elements, more than traditional theater, to be sure! The audience weaving is a marvel. Eerie lighting makes the setting gorgeous. The pentagram “souvenir” fulfills a loose tradition in immersive theater of a keepsake. Yet despite all the moving around, I was never really a participant. Even while standing next to a woman summoning a demonic spirit, the audience is still silently observing. We’re the audience, and they are the performers, and the delineation is very clear.

Another instance of mismatched expectations is the nature of the show itself. The title Witch! and the Halloween season, and the logo/art led me to think of a spooky, supernatural experience. Instead, it’s quite grounded, based on historical events, with minimal set dressing besides the wonderful lighting. The grounds of the mausoleum are inherently creepy, but not in a scary, Halloween fashion. The few scenes that border on the otherworldly, with cult rituals and devilish temptations are implied to be flights of fancy and may not be seen by everyone because of the branching nature of the plot. Witch! is educational, and captivating, but not particularly scary or seasonal.

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

With the right frame of mind, Witch! has a lot going for it. It’s accessible to a wide range of audiences. Indeed, my group was older than the average group at something like Delusion. Traditional theater-goers, and people who have never heard of immersive theater will find much innovation here. The actors are terrific. Plus, it really does fit the cool temperature and early nights of Autumn. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a mask (they are enforced), and learn about the real-life horrors of people. No green skin or pointy hats for these witches. You can learn more about the Downtown Repertory Theater here, and tickets for Witch! are available here through Sunday, November 6.