From live streams to online quizzes and escape rooms, theatre has been merged with various digital platforms over the past year in order to survive. But not only has it survived, it has thrived. With all of the innovation shown by people in our industry during the pandemic, you’d have thought you’d seen it all by now. However, along comes Objective Entertainment with a clever combination of theatre, TV and gaming with This Is Reality 2000.

Essentially a homage to reality TV of the early noughties and inspired by Big Brother, This Is Reality 2000 gives you the chance to star as a fictional housemate in the iconic Big Brother house. Teams of 4-12 participants are encouraged to embody an individual character of their choosing from a pre-designed list and are set personal objectives at intervals throughout the game to embellish the experience. Whilst it is not essential to follow to the exact letter, it’s very much a case of the more you put in, the more you get out.

Devised by two London-based RADA graduates, this Zoom-based interactive experience is definitely participant-led as opposed to actors at the forefront. Your host is present to help keep the proceedings on track (and to be on hand in case of any queries), but the action is entirely fabricated by those playing the game. The level of organisation and presentation prior to the game is impressive and well thought-out, with character packs provided in advance to help you prepare. However, whilst you feel sufficiently briefed before ‘entering the house’, there is still a level of suspense and anticipation created, adding to the fun.

The various functions on Zoom are well utilised throughout, from screen sharing to using the whiteboard and live chat. There are also some nice twists and turns to keep you on your toes and change the pace of the piece.

It should perhaps be said that this is not for the shy and retiring amongst us (unless those are traits of your character), but you make your own entertainment in this game. With our team of five, it lasted just over an hour and whilst it doesn’t matter if you can’t get a full team of 12, we would recommend going into the game with people that you feel comfortable with so you can let your hair down and revel in this unique experience. As you are given the opportunity to choose your character, pick wisely based on your own personality, up the ante and you will have a evening that you won’t forget in a hurry!

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jenny Ell

For more information and to book This Is Reality 2000, please click here.