Undercover at Morpheus Show Online

11^th January 2021

Michael Higgs

Michael Higgs

11 January 2021

Few things are better to counteract the grievous daily grind of looking at the newest Covid infection rates than a bit of harmless escapism to flee into another world. It works even better when done with the help of innovative methods of making theatre. Morpheus Show’s Undercover delivers an absolutely brilliant adventure that is both thrilling and hilarious, utilising the best that Zoom has to offer.

At its core, the show is a roleplaying game, though without any rules à la Dungeons and Dragons – and the world the action takes place in is the real world. The narrator, played by a wonderfully good-humoured and skilled unnamed actor, tells the story, describes what the player-audience “sees”, and reacts to whatever they have their characters do. Occasionally there is the odd sound effect of subtle background music, and there are no visuals whatsoever. In fact, viewers are asked to cover their eyes throughout. In other words: the entire experience takes place in the players’ minds.

The plot involves a genius scientist who has discovered a new technology; several spies – the audience – are tasked with locating and recovering a sample for the government. Giving any more than that away would necessarily involve spoilers, but rest assured that it’s silly enough to be electrifying and thrilling enough to build a good deal of suspense.

The power of the experience comes through human interaction. Everything the six participants do, they do as a team, and in dialogue with each other and with the narrator. It can be supremely funny and engaging, and by the end of the show there is a sensation of really having gotten to know each other, like old friends. It does require players to overcome their natural inhibitions, but the narrator is fantastic at drawing out the best in people and involving them in the experience as best he can. After that, everything that happens is up to the audience’s imagination.

It’s difficult to put in words how rewarding it feels; it’s one of those things that has to be discovered in person. Those who are into roleplaying games are sure to like it, and for regular theatregoers it’s a wonderful new way of exploring a story in an interactive way. A hearty recommendation.

Michael Higgs

Undercover is available to experience online from 12^th December 2020. For further information or to book visit the Morpheus Show’s website here.