proscenium(classic stage)
theater in the round(audience surrounds a small stage)
amphitheater (raised, outdoor seating)
thrust stage (platform)
This dramatic production was unlike any of those. Instead, the players were in vivo: we ate at tables in a room at Thanksgiving Point, and the actors mingled among us. It was a murder mystery, and you had to outwit Sherlock to guess the killer. Sound cheesy? It is.
All theater requires a suspension of disbelief, but this mode of acting had more in common with improv theater, with none of its liveliness. The script was incredibly corny; almost painful, in fact. The only character whom I found to be remotely entertaining was Watson (below left), since he was completely committed to his character.
Part of the pleasure of the mystery genre is unraveling it yourself. The killer was insultingly easy to guess. The possibility of dramatic tension was raised, and unceremoniously dropped.
The food was serviceable, but unmemorable, much like the production itself. Theater in the milieu is interesting as a concept and could be quite avant-garde, really, but I would pass on dinner theater in the future.
