I hate immersive theatre. Can the British Pullman’s murder mystery change my mind?

Friday 21 February 2025 6:29 pm

One Approach Ticket is the British Pullman’s newest immersive present, inviting company to unravel a homicide thriller whereas tucking right into a four-course gourmand meal. However can it win over haters of viewers participation?

The point out of “immersive theatre” tends to evoke one in all two visceral reactions: childlike delight or utter, absolute, unmitigated horror. I’m of the latter persuasion, however one doesn’t flip down an invite for the British Pullman. So right here I’m, enjoying the a part of an novice detective on board for the group’s newest theatre expertise – a homicide thriller, naturally – washing down my pure aversions to participation with beneficiant pourings of pinot noir.

Created by Personal Drama Occasions, One Approach Ticket is the group’s second homicide thriller present on board the British Pullman, which performs out over a four-course lunch on a five-hour roundtrip from London Victoria, the place you’ll be able to smugly swish by means of the crowds of commuters in your approach for a slice of time journey.

A sister prepare to the Orient Specific, it’s close to inconceivable to not really feel giddy on board the Pullman. I used to be fortunate sufficient to be sat within the Gwen carriage which, in-built 1932 for the London-Brighton service and frequented since by the likes of Queen Elizabeth, is all Walnut woods and champagne glamour. 

The prepare has been up to date solely within the methods you want it to be (they serve oat milk and the ‘don’t flush whereas in service’ indicators by the bogs can fortunately be ignored) whereas nearly all different indicators of restoration are undetectable. There’s supposedly wifi however I used to be grateful to search out it didn’t work. In my view, searching the window ought to even be discouraged – indicators of the fashionable world don’t belong on the British Pullman.

And, certainly, for this expertise you’re within the Thirties, becoming a member of a forged of completely coiffed-haired artists, scientists and fats cat traders on the maiden voyage to Arcadia, a utopian metropolis for visionary residents. On board you’ll be invited to work out who killed Hollywood starlet Vivian Moreau, actors lurching by means of the aisles throwing round accusations as Belmond’s five-star ready workers float by means of seamlessly with napkins and dessert wine.

With no backstage (there’s solely approach by means of a prepare) and scenes needing to be carried out in each carriage, it is a present that requires masterful choreography, and the forged don’t miss a beat. For actual fanatics (Belmond realized final time there have been a lot), the present has additionally amazingly been devised to barely differ all through the carriages, with totally different characters enjoying totally different prominence relying on how far down the prepare you’re sat, which means you’ll be able to come again and luxuriate in a barely totally different story if you want.

Artistic director Adam Blackwood mentioned the present was roughly a 50:50 between scripted: improv cut up, with the forged required to be totally versed of their characters’ backstories in order to be ready for any questions the viewers might hurl at them. I used to be significantly impressed to search out every utterly unfazed to offer their birthday and corresponding star signal when quizzed by a member of my carriage who had develop into sure astrology was key to cracking the code.

Likewise, the forged are additionally astute in assessing what Blackwood referred to as ‘viewers profiles’ (basically how eager you’re) and can work together with you accordingly. So the stage-shy can breathe a sigh of aid, with you capable of lean or sit again as a lot as you need.

The meals is beautiful. When the three-piece-suited Mr Mobley broke off a chunk of my just-served, fantastically fluffy focaccia as a part of his bit, I actually needed to cease myself slapping his hand down. Certainly, the standard of service is arguably the present’s greatest impediment; merely, there’s an excessive amount of to get pleasure from to all the time comply with what’s happening within the story.

When the ultimate revelation of who murdered Ms Moreau was revealed, the gasps have been a little bit subdued – to be frank, no person had had a clue, and no person actually cared. Simply as nobody both requested the place the prepare was going (round Kent should you’re ), that’s all past the purpose. One Approach Ticket is a whodunnit in whoknowswhere, with the British Pullman the one character that basically issues.

• One Approach Ticket launches twenty eighth February 2025 with 22 scheduled journeys all year long. Costs per particular person begin at £535.