The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

The Generation of Z at Dept W

The Generation of Z at Dept W | Theatre review
22 April 2015
Tina Squatley-Thrust
Avatar
Tina Squatley-Thrust
22 April 2015

Set in 2015, the Z virus is infecting the population of London and turning them into murderous zombies. A group of uninfected civilians have managed to find shelter in an unused building in Whitechapel, with only a handful of soldiers to protect them. “With societal structure collapsing, humanity is faced with a desperate battle for survival.” The Generation of Z describes itself as an “immersive live experience”. This is more than interactive theatre. Eyes widen and pulses race as the audience prepare for the unknown.

GenerationOfZLocated in a building on the East End’s Mile End Road which was once Wickham’s department store, Dept W, as it is now known, is the perfect venue for this level of action. Led into a dark and dishevelled room, the audience is left to explore for a few minutes and orient themselves. Missing person’s posters hang from the filthy walls. Signs warn, “We operate a one shot policy at this facility.” It is a taste of things to come and the last moment of peace for the spectators. 

The actors revel in their characters. Audience participation is not encouraged; it is enforced by the soldiers who lead separate groups into different rooms of the building. Part of the excitement comes from not knowing who will get picked on next, who’s in on it and most importantly, who’s a zombie. Acting is of an exceptionally high standard and there are moments of extremely unpleasant horror. It is recommended that attendees be above the age of 16.

Where The Generation of Z excels is ensuring all audience members are involved; interactive theatre can fall flat with an audience unwilling to participate, but here no one is allowed to be nonchalant. Anyone can be attacked by a zombie, grabbed by a soldier or splattered with blood at any moment. Everyone is on guard, looking behind them and clinging onto the hands of their partners. Expect high-pitched screams from both genders; it gets dark and it gets messy.

Gladrags are best left at home, as they may very well leave bloodied. Don’t leave without grabbing a zombie and taking a “zelfie” to remember the night. Different groups will have different experiences, so it’s worth seeing twice. Tickets aren’t cheap but they are, without a doubt, worth every penny.  

★★★★★

Tina Squatley-Thrust

The Generation of Z is on at Dept W from 4th April 2015 until 5th July 2015, for further information or to book visit here.

Watch the trailer for The Generation of Z here:

Please accept YouTube cookies to play this video. By accepting you will be accessing content from YouTube, a service provided by an external third party.

YouTube privacy policy

If you accept this notice, your choice will be saved and the page will refresh.

Related Items

More in Theatre

“Theatre is totally unique… there’s simply nothing else quite like it”: An interview with Sir Howard Panter as the new cast of Jersey Boys opens at Trafalgar Theatre

Natallia Pearmain
Read More

Jersey Boys bring on a new cast at Trafalgar Theatre

Natallia Pearmain
Read More

All of Us at the National Theatre

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Midsummer Mechanicals at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

★★★★★
Alexandra Fletcher
Read More

Camden Fringe 2022: The Importance of Being Anxious at Museum of Comedy

★★★★★
James Humphrey
Read More

Camden Fringe 2022: Rome 3000 (Julius Caesar) at Canal Cafe Theatre

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

Tasting Notes at Southwark Playhouse

★★★★★
Mae Trumata
Read More

The Tempest at Shakespeare’s Globe

★★★★★
James Humphrey
Read More

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Gillian Lynne Theatre

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Theatre review

Tina Squatley-Thrust

The Generation of Z

★★★★★

Dates

4th April - 5th July 2015

Price

£25-£42.50

Links & directions

WebsiteMap

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Camden Fringe 2022: Rome 3000 (Julius Caesar) at Canal Cafe Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Midsummer Mechanicals at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Luck
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • “The show makes you question, think about things and look into yourself. It speaks to you”: Tom Sturridge and Vivienne Acheampong on The Sandman
    Cinema & Tv
  • Nope
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Eiffel
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • “Theatre is totally unique… there’s simply nothing else quite like it”: An interview with Sir Howard Panter as the new cast of Jersey Boys opens at Trafalgar Theatre
    Theatre
  • Jersey Boys bring on a new cast at Trafalgar Theatre
    Theatre
  • All of Us at the National Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Nope
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Jersey Boys bring on a new cast at Trafalgar Theatre
    Theatre
  • Luck
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • South Facing Festival: Jungle bring their signature neo-funk to Saturday night
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • “Everything that’s happened to me has brought me here”: David Leitch on Bullet Train and working with Brad Pitt
    Cinema & Tv
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Spitting: Photographs by Andrew Bruce & Anna Fox at James Hyman Gallery | Exhibition review
Blackhat | Movie review