Manor of Lies at Morpheus Show Online

With five different settings to choose from, Morpheus Show is increasingly becoming a go-to venue for online plays of a special kind. With their innovative, state-of-the-art role play-like experiences, they are guaranteed to deliver spectacular entertainment with a fantastic sense of humour. Their latest show, Manor of Lies, is no exception. With countless nods to beloved literary characters, it is an intoxicating virtual playground for fans of 19^th century culture.

The entire play takes place in the audience’s minds. A brilliantly funny and quick-witted actor plays the part of the narrator, who describes what the player-audience “sees” and reacts to whatever they have their characters do. There are other voice actors to cover individual characters and some sound effects, but other than that, the players rely on the powers of their imagination.

It works remarkably well. With some powerful tongue-in-cheek writing, the stage is set for a 19^th century manor, in which Lord Dante Rochester, a notorious Don Juan-like character, confides in the players that he is being blackmailed. Before the group sets out to find out who the blackguard is, the host is murdered, leaving them to investigate the case as well as find the murderer before the magistrate arrives.

The reason these shows feel so thrilling is largely centred around two aspects: freedom and teamwork. Freedom, since the audience can do absolutely anything they like (within the rules of the world), and the narrator has to react and build upon that; teamwork, since it’s a joint effort to discuss what to do next, take on certain roles and find solutions together. It is simply fun to do, and towards the end of the experience it feels like one has known the team forever.

Manor of Lies is just a wonderful and silly, exhilarating and amusing adventure to take part in. With its whimsical gothic setting in an old manor and an over-the-top whodunnit, it’s guaranteed to entertain all participants, while simultaneously poking fun at a lot of the stifled tropes of writing from the period. An absolute blast, all the way.

Michael Higgs

Manor of Lies is at Morpheus Show Online from 14^th March until 30^th April 2021. For further information or to book visit Morpheus Show’s website here.

Watch a trailer for Morpheus Show’s work here: