Critical Overview: Doctor Who: Time Fracture
Doctor Who: Time Fracture, an immersive experience located near Bond Street Station in London, is produced by Immersive Everywhere in collaboration with the BBC. The warehouse setting is transformed into a world of Doctor Who by UNIT scientists and soldiers who guide the audience through a series of experiences set in the 16th century, the present day, and multiple far futures, including spaceships and planets. This article provides a critical overview of Doctor Who: Time Fracture from the perspective of someone who has attended the experience twice, highlighting the production’s engaging experiential content, impressive attention to detail, and its potential for being enjoyed on multiple levels.
Engaging Experiential Content
The immersive experience of Doctor Who: Time Fracture is both engaging and exciting for the entire family. The production is packed with a remarkable amount of experiential content, which is evident from the author’s different experiences during the two visits. Immersive Everywhere’s previous project, The Great Gatsby, was produced in the same location, but Doctor Who: Time Fracture seems even more ambitious in scope. The audience is given the opportunity to interact with the production and become part of the Doctor Who world.
The Production’s Attention to Detail
The performers are convincing, and the attention to detail is impressive. The production has an inexhaustible number of references and callbacks to Doctor Who that are enjoyed by committed fans of the TV series. The author mentions that the experience starts and ends with exposition and essentially more conventional theatre, but the middle is filled with interactive spaces to explore. The audience is given the opportunity to interact with the production, and they are also involved in the action. The author shares how they accidentally got a cast member ‘killed’ by a cyberman.
Enjoyed on Multiple Levels
Doctor Who: Time Fracture can be enjoyed on different levels, much like the programme it is based on. Children can enjoy the zany characters, diverting visuals, and the opportunity to live out the dreams of being the Doctor. The production is enjoyable for those with a basic knowledge of the programme. The plot is explained on multiple occasions through recording and the many cast members. The author recommends going into the production with the intention to interact as much as possible for maximum enjoyment. However, if the audience prefers to watch, there are regular places for refreshments to be purchased.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Doctor Who: Time Fracture is an excellent example of in-person family entertainment that offers an immersive and engaging experience for everyone. The production is impressive in scope and offers an inexhaustible number of references and callbacks to Doctor Who. The audience is given the opportunity to become part of the Doctor Who world and interact with the production. The experience can be enjoyed on different levels, making it accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Finally, it is recommended that those interested in the experience attend in a group for a better experience. Overall, Doctor Who: Time Fracture is an entertaining and engaging experience that is worth a visit.
A few tips to get the most out of the experience:
- Attend earlier showings to avoid stag dos that also enjoy interactive theatre.
- Attend in a group to work out theories of the plot and what to do next instead of moving in another group.
- Wheelchair access is available, but the experience is not all on one level, so take this into account when attending.
