Immersive theatre in London

What is it? This swanky immersive dinner theatre experience from swanky immersive dinner theatre gurus The Lost Estate is based on an opulent ’30s New York venue created by socialite and ‘queen of the speakeasies’ Belle Livingstone. Unless you opt for the cheaper late entry tickets, your experience will revolve around a six course ‘Park Avenue tasting menu’, endless old school cocktail opportunities, and live jazz compered by Livingstone herself (NB probably in fact an actor playing Livingstone).

Where is it? 133 Rye Lane.

What is it? Even if you have literally never wanted to be part of the crew of a spaceship you’ll probably have a fun time at Parabolic Theatre’s Bridge Command, an immersive theatre show slash team-bonding exercise slash LARPer paradise that sees you and your fellow contestants take command of the, uh, bridge of a spaceship and undertake a variety of missions that run the gamut from diplomacy to warfare. The show has entered its second ‘season’, which adds an alien threat to the interconnected stories.

Where is it? Arches 63 and 64 Albert Embankment (Vauxhall).

What is it? As you would imagine from the title, Elvis Evolution is a show about Elvis Presley, and promises to offer a whirlwind, VR-enhanced two-hour tour through his life, building up to his classic ’68 comeback special. Please note that the start date of the show has now been delayed three times, though fingers crossed it’ll appear in July 2025.

Where is it? ExCel London.

What is it? Think the past few years have been rough? Try surviving a Martian invasion only to be captured by an enormous fighting machine and having your blood harvested, ‘The Matrix’-style, in a stifling capsule. This VR-enhanced immersive take on the prog rock adaptation of the classic sci-fi novella is good, silly, occasionally scary fun. 

Where is it? 56 Leadenhall St.

What is it? Despite being an unofficial tribute to John Cleese’s legendary ’70s sitcom, this long-running interactive dinner show captures the show’s spirit surprisingly well.

Where is it? President Hotel.

What is it? This admirably ambirious immersive show is, of course, an adaptation of Douglas Adams’s genius sci-fi comedy The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, following the intergalactic adventures of hapless last surviving human Arthur Dent and his eccentric alien pals. Taking over Riverside Studios’ Studio 2, Studio 3 and points inbetween, it’s created by Arvind Ethan David, a writer-producer who has previous with Adams’s work.

Where is it? Riverside Studios.

What is it? For the price of a ticket to ‘Mamma Mia! The Party’, an immersive Abba-themed dinner experience set in a ropey taverna on an idyllic Greek island, you could fly out to an actual idyllic Greek island and probably find a ropey taverna playing Abba songs. Nonetheless, if you don’t mind forking out and – crucially – you like Abba, it’s tremendously good fun.

Where is it? The O2.

What is it? This lavish new central London immersive experience makes no bones about fact it’s a live extension of the world of the two (soon to be three) StudioCanal movies, but the gentle globe-hopping adventure you experience in it is purely delightful.

Where it it? County Hall.

What is it? A hit in its native Australia, this good time immersive show combines a raucous pastiche of Jane Austen’s immortal social satire Pride and Prejudice with the strong encouragement that you drink a lot of cocktails. 

Where is it? Waterloo Vaults.

What is it? Secret Cinema are back! It’s been three years since the immersive London legends had a show on in the capital – with 2022’s Guardians of the Galaxy – but we’re promised we’ll get a production a year for the next three summers as they set up shop in their new temporary home of Battersea Park.

Where is it? Evolution London.