S2 Episode 10: Audience to Action: The Rise of Immersive Theatre

How did theatre evolve from exclusive, elite entertainment into a truly public, participatory art form? Why do modern audiences crave experiences that go beyond observation to full immersion and what does that say about society, technology, and the future of storytelling? To mark the 50th anniversary of London’s National Theatre, Sarah Dowd sits down with Fiona Porritt, Senior Creative Producer at Les Enfants Terribles, the innovative company behind spectacular immersive productions like Alice’s Adventures Underground and United Queendom. Together, they trace the arc from 18th-century riotous audiences, political spectacle, and morally contested playhouses to contemporary immersive theatre where the audience becomes part of the action. Highlights: 00:00 From Garrick and Sheridan to mass spectacle: theatre’s transformation 01:44 Audiences as agitators: riots, protest, and who culture belongs to 03:10 The rise of immersive and participatory performance 05:28 Inspired by school panto and the opening ceremony of the Olympics 09:23 Discovering and and working with Les Enfants Terribles 13:30 Why audiences crave participation 15:46 What actually makes theatre “immersive”? 20:04 Breaking the social contract in theatre 21:30 “Tricking” new audiences into theatre and making it more accessible 24:00 Olivier Awards and fitting immersive shows into old frameworks 26:17 How Edinburgh Fringe, music halls, and found spaces paved the way 28:58 Romeo in a bombed-out library 29:22 Can immersive theatre make history feel real and accessible? 36:35 Why “serious” history isn’t always serious 46:58 Inside Pussy Riot: immersive and political storytelling 52:42 Can immersive theatre be “fun” and hard-hitting at the same time? 57:47 The paradox of spoilers in a digital age of oversharing 60:23 We’re all performers now: 62:05 Why the way we connect onstage and off, matters more than ever. About Fiona Porritt: Fiona is a creator of imaginative and immersive worlds. As Senior Creative Producer at Les Enfants Terribles known for its striking visual aesthetic and innovative use of props, puppetry and live music she has spent over twelve years pushing the boundaries of storytelling and audience experience. Her credits span theatre and brand experiences alike, including The House with Chicken Legs, The Trench, Inside Pussy Riot and bespoke commissions for PlayStation, Ikea and Kraken Rum. Fiona is currently producing Die Hunnenkönigin for the Nibelungen Festival in Germany and the remount of Olivier Award-nominated Alice's Adventures Underground. About Sarah Dowd: I’m Sarah Dowd - writer, speaker, heritage and arts consultant, producer, and all-around nerd - here to share the stories of our past that make us laugh, gasp, and mutter: It’s History… For F***k’s Sake. For 25+ years I’ve created immersive, inclusive experiences that bring history alive, from rallying Second World War convoys through London to staging performances between Pearly Kings and Gen Z creatives. My work spans museums, cathedral crypts, pop-up theatres, global brands, and community projects across the UK and beyond. As a Canadian living between the UK and France (with a late ADHD diagnosis that fuels my curiosity and creativity), I zigzag through culture, history, and big ideas, but never boring ones. Every week on HistoryFFS, we explore how history echoes through today, make sure you are following the show so you don’t miss an episode. Connect with Sarah: Website: www.historyffs.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowd/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/historyffs-pod/ Substack: @historyffs YouTube: @HistoryFFSPod Instagram: @historyFFSPod TikTok: @historyffspod X: @HistoryFFSPod Bluesky: @historyffs.bsky.social