Night of the Devil Zombies
Would you believe me if I told you I spent last night cowering in a garage, hiding from zombies? No, I wasn’t playing a computer game, I really was cowering in a garage, as part of the new interactive play from Samurai AV, Night of the Devil Zombies. Like many great ideas, Sam O’Rielly’s Fringe entry is both simple and inspired. The experience begins even before the play does- the participants gather in the car park outside Sam’s house (yep, it’s really his house), which has the windows boarded up and a giant bloodstained ‘Help!’ message scrawled on a sheet hanging from the balcony. You’re all handed plastic ponchos, a handful of torches, and told the setting: You are French scientists, you’ve escaped from Tasmania where the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease has ‘jumped species’- and Melbourne is now a deserted wasteland where you must look for cover wherever you can find it. Your guide shows up, frantically tells you to run into the house, and your evening begins…
I really must stop there because a a big part of NotDZ are the surprises that await you within- suffice to say that there is a lot of screaming, death, and (of course) zombies. While the well-designed website touts this as an ‘interactive experience’, for most of the audience (numbers are capped at 35) it will be a relatively passive event, a lot like watching a play- with the difference that the actors acknowledge your presence, and sometimes incorporate it. The actors play their parts with great conviction, and even when there is the occasional flubbed line you barely notice because having people stumble over their words in a time of high stress feels real and natural- it heightens the sense that this is really happening, rather than detracting from it. The pace stays high through most of the evening, with genuine thrills and laughter at different times, and it is unfortunately over all too quickly- they certainly don’t try to overplay their hand. The scares come slowly at first, culminating in a very satisfying and entertaining finale. The audio and visual components are also very well thought out- sound, lighting, TV broadcasts, and even odour all play a part in the unfolding drama.
This is a highly recommended show. If you are a fan of zombie movies, or were entertained by this year’s zombie shuffle through Melbourne, then it is safe to say without reservation that this is something you are going to want to experience. Tickets are still available for this weekend, and booking early is advised. More information can be found at their website
Visit the Fringe Website for booking details.