ARCADE

Disappointing as our final show of the fringe. Previously seen Coma, Motel and Flight which I rave about but this was a disappointment. Told before entering that we will receive a token and one chance to spend in game - I could hear the rumble of tokens dropping but didn’t get one.

As a result spend a lot of the performance confused, a lot on the floor groping shoes as I rummaged for the token in case it was dropped as it came out, headphones half off listening if my neighbours were getting their token. Missed most of the story and felt like getting half the experience. Told attendant at the end who seemed disinterested. Felt duped it was an incomplete experience and quite confusing, waste of my money sadly. Wouldnt recommend until they’ve sorted technical difficulties

Very "meh".

"Existential questions about free will" they promise in the description turned out to be "do you choose a red door or an orange one?" without much pre- and post- context.

Also my machine didn't give me a token. When I told the attendant about it she said 'yeah... That happens sometimes..." And looked the other way.

Not worth the time spent.

As described but expected more from fringe, Won't recommend, was just a dark box with head phones, audio only, a basic story about going into a bank or party and whether or not to shoot some one, wasn't worth £13

My third Darkfield experience after Flight and Seance. Absolutely loved this one, the usual brilliant darkness and sound scapes with an added choose your own adventure feel. Each of our group had their own experience. Highly recommended!

An unbelievable experience. Go if you can, and try to go knowing as little as possible about what happens. I went in blind for a first experience and had a wonderful adventure. This is absolutely not a conventional theatre experience, but Darkfield have used their years of experience with their other containers to create an intriguing, immersive, interactive story that leads you on a different path to the person standing two feet to your right. Cannot recommend this enough.

I'm a big fan of Darkfield and had previously done Eulogy and Seance. I had wanted to do Arcade last year but it was cancelled due to technical issues, so I was really pleased to see it was back on this year. I really enjoyed this one - possibly the most disconcerting and disorientating. I would love to 'play' again and experience different endings, which I imagine is the desired result! My only slight criticism is that standing up the entire time got a little uncomfortable, especially as it was hot. However, I still enjoyed this experience massively and would 100% go again next year.

I Love darkfield so was super excited for this one. definitely my favourite so far. went with a friend and our stories were so so different. hope they bring it back next year so I can make different choices

Even though I knew it would be 30 minutes in the dark, experiencing it firsthand was completely different. The presence of an arcade right at the start makes you expect some sort of visual element eventually. Without getting a coin through the arcade, though, it doesn't offer much entertainment. It took me about five minutes to realise what was happening and that I needed to either say "yes" or stay silent (which means "no") to shape my story. The storyline itself was somewhat complex and hard to follow. Still, it was a unique experience, and I don't regret trying it. I went with a group of friends, and the highlight was seeing how different all our stories turned out. It reminded me of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.

Didn't know what to expect and I enjoyed it, even though it was hard to follow at times, and the story was a bit confusing, but the experience was really something different.

This could be amazing, if only the story was meaningful and complete, but it's not.

Darkfield always pushes the boundaries - and Arcade is no exception! This a choose own adventure where everyone has a different experience with a different outcome … while being locked in the pitch black shipping container!

This was such an unexpected delight. It was extraordinary to be in the dark, and this made the whole experience so visceral. I highly recommend it to anyone!

If someone asked me what my plans were for the weekend, and I responded with ‘getting locked inside a shipping container’ you’d have thought i’d lost it.

“Arcade” takes you into an uncomfortable setting and opens your mind to an audio experience where every decision you make has an impact on where your story goes. Comparing results was such a laugh, give this a shot if you’re not afraid to make bad decisions in the dark ;)

We have seen several Darkfield productions over the years, and were excited to see a new one come to fringe this year. Arcade brought a clever new format to the Darkfield canon, providing new sensations and thrills, unlike anything else experienced in other productions. This is not for the faint-hearted, as Darkfield are one of the most immersive experiences out there.

I really enjoyed this. A very unique experience and I liked the ‘Black Mirror’ take on being able to decide the fate of the characters. The only thing that let it down slightly is that the audience are standing the entire time. This can be slightly disconcerting and uncomfortable (especially when it is humid). Would still recommend.

I didn't really know what to expect and was intrigued! I think it's a very creative approach to immersice theatre, however, i feel content and trigger warnings for potential participants is a *must*. I do not feel this would 'spoil' the integrity of the story being told. I also believe a space for participants to sit or 'come down' from the array of emotions/physical sensations you experience as a result of being in an intense environment would be beneficial. I enjoyed my experience, but I feel not taking these considerations could border on negligence for the sake of 'art'.

DO NOT GO IF YOU HAVE PTSD AS A RESULT OF VIOLENCE. I'm going to be as kind as I possibly can. Prior to the show, the staff person said there may be triggers but would only tell them on a one on one basis as they were afraid that by announcing them that they would reveal possible spoilers. After going to several Darkfield shows in the past, I didn't find this to be need for concern. However, being the show is in complete darkness, your other senses are dramatically heightened. As a victim of a previous attack, there were spontaneous moments of violence which triggered me greatly, and being at the far end of the venue, made it nearly impossible to get out until the end. Darkfield feels it's more important to protect their product than audience members which, speaking as a producer myself, is unethical and could possibly open themselves to legal action. If being shocked is your thing, knock yourself out. This was my experience. Decide for yourselves.

So my experience was not a good one. This show is all about choosing your own adventure through different decisions involving a button to say yes and a token. My arcade didn’t have the token so I couldn’t really choose.

You would think that at a minimum they would check the machines before each turn to check if they have the token. Nope.

Told them what happened at the end of the experience but they couldn’t care less.

BIG disappointment.

Between immersive theatre and video game, absolutely worth it! Highly recommend going with friends/family to experience several story lines and endings as you debrief after the session. It was a fun experience to live - and to share with people you thought you knew until you realise they made very questionable choices.

Highly recommend!

If you go, on the way out, ask other attendees the choices they made in the game. Several people had totally different experiences, and it was neat to hear about the different way the game can go.

I think this was the fifth show I've attended by Darkfield. They've all been interesting in different ways. Recommended.

Really cool experience. I wish the story was tighter though, it was hard to figure out what was happening. Recommended nonetheless!

Really cool experience.

I wasn't sure what to expect with the description, but it's sort of an audio choice-based video game with the controls based around the arcade machine. It was really cool and different!

Only thing I'd say is that there wasn't the option to turn the volume down. I'm autistic and quite sensitive to sound, if I were to do it again, I'd bring ear plugs to lower the volume.

I didn’t know what to expect and was a little apprehensive but it was an enjoyable experience and comes recommended. I won’t say any more so I don’t spoil it for people

Really, really cool! I did Flight last year and was really impressed, and this was even better.

It was set up in a really interesting and immersive way, and it was fantastic knowing you had a truly individual experience. It was great to come out of the show and immediately be able to talk through the differences in your choices and experiences with your pals.

Already excited to go back for a second time! :)