Venice Preserv'd by The Spectator's Guild

There’s no danger of a stuffy auditorium in the new revival of the Restoration tragedy Venice Preserv’d which is to be performed in an ex-engine factory. The production is presented by The Spectator's Guild , a new immersive theatre company headed by Secret Cinema collaborators Harry Ross and Helen Scarlett O'Neill, at Paynes and Borthwick Wharf.

The success of the Secret Cinema, which we love, leads us to believe that this shall not be what immersive theatre so often is - a place where resting actors dress as centurions and stare vacantly into space. Rather, it promises to combine fine acting and a great play, bringing innovation to a classic, though neglected, piece.

Venice Preserv’d is one of the finest tragedies from one of the greatest periods of British playwriting – the Restoration (1660 - 1710) – and made its author, Thomas Otway, the toast of London. It tells the story of a group of young revolutionaries in their attempt to overthrow the Venetian Senate, its main concerns are - in true Restoration style - intrigue, betrayal and love. The play ceased to be commonly performed in the 19th century – due in no small part to its revolutionary theme – and we’ll be interested to see how such an unusual production manages the formulaic 17th century verse.

The director, Charlotte Westenra, promises that Otway’s play will be realised in an “immersive world that the audience can enter into and explore” in an sight specific setting completely transformed into “the most serene Republic of Venice”. As you can see, even the location bears an eerie resemblance to the Doge’s Palace, in which the play is primarily set.

For the performance The Spectator's Guild has gathered together a troupe of actors who have performed at the National Theatre, the Donmar and the Globe and have been part of celebrated troupes like the RSC. If the success of The Secret Cinema is anything to go by, this production shall provide a breath of fresh air amongst the heat of the hot London summer.

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