Am-dram society launches budget rival to 4DX cinema

THE Fabricated Players have announced plans to rival the immersive 4DX cinema experience using six members of the tech team, the ensemble and absolutely no specialist equipment.

The society says its revolutionary new FPDX system will allow audiences to “feel every moment of the action” through moving seats, wind, water, smoke and other sensory effects recreated by whoever is not needed on stage at the time.

Technical director Martin Cooper said: “We looked into proper motion-controlled seating, but it was £80,000.

“Then Graham pointed out that chairs already move if somebody grabs them and shakes them hard enough.”

Under the new system, members of the tech team will crouch behind audience seats and violently rock them during action sequences.

For particularly dramatic moments, two members of the ensemble will take one side each.

Cooper said: “Obviously there are limits. We can do forwards, backwards and a sort of unpleasant sideways judder.

“For Titanic, we’re just going to gradually tip everyone to the left.”

Wind effects will be created by ensemble members vigorously waving programmes at the audience, while rain will be simulated using trigger-spray bottles purchased from B&M.

The society has promised that all water effects will be “theatrically appropriate”, although front-row audiences are advised not to wear suede.

Scent technology has also been developed.

Producer Deborah Mills said: “If the scene takes place in a forest, someone walks past holding an air freshener.

“For the seaside, we’ve got salt and vinegar crisps.

“And for Victorian London, Graham has offered to stop showering during production week.”

The most ambitious element is the new surround-sound system, in which ensemble members will stand at various points around the auditorium shouting sound effects directly at people.

During thunderstorms, audiences can expect cries of “KERRR-BOOOOM!” from the bar area, while horses will be represented by two chorus members following patrons around going “NEIGH”.

The society insists the system will transform future productions.

In Les Misérables, audience members will experience the barricade battle while being shaken violently and screamed at from six different directions.

For The Sound of Music, they will feel an authentic Alpine breeze produced by Carol flapping a tea towel.

And during The Wizard of Oz, the tornado sequence will involve the entire ensemble grabbing chairs and spinning audience members around until they agree they are in Kansas.

Health and safety concerns have been dismissed after the society confirmed that everyone involved will receive “a quick briefing beforehand”.

Tickets for FPDX performances will cost an additional £6.

Anyone unwilling to participate can book a standard seat, although organisers warn they may still be accidentally sprayed, shouted at or shaken if the tech team loses track of which row they are in.

Cooper said: “People pay a fortune for this sort of immersive experience in London.

“We can provide essentially the same thing with four volunteers and a Super Soaker.”

The system received enthusiastic feedback during testing, although one audience member described the experience as “deeply alarming”.