Production photos by Ben Morse – Entrance to Rhythm & Ruse, Cloakroom, Photo Op, Mirror Corridor & Red Corridor
Production and Costume Design for Immersive Experience | The Vaults
Directed by Fania Grigoriou
Produced by Morgan Howson for Immergence Ltd
Lighting Design by Skylar Turnbull Heard
Sound Design by Stuart Gardener
Musical Direction by Naomi Banks
Divising by Sam Booth, Mallory Gracenin
Associate Lighting Design by Abbie Sage
Associate Producing by Abi Smith
Magic Consultancy by Christopher Howell
Production Management by Corey Bennett for Niche Productions
Costume Supervision by Anna Dixon
HMUA by Sarah-Jane Pucci
Draughting by Christianna Mason
Scenic Art by Pippa Higham
Scenic Costruction by RT Scenic
On-Site Carpentry led by Michael Burgess-Shaw, Finbar Bone-Anderson
Production LX led by Dom Cook
Stage Management by Mario Sorube, Mariachiara Maracci
Cast: Sam Booth, Naomi Banks, Puck, Wen Hsin Lee, Elliot Rodriguez, Mallory Gracenin, Jessica Hern
Magicians Include: Daan Ho, Laura London, Damien O’Brien, Saavan, Yev Moskalov, Stephen Barry, Ava Beaux, Sonia Benito, Brendan Rodrigues, Gary Schiffman, Peter Vassila, Sylar Magic, John Welles, Richard Symes
Band Include: Jonathan Bauer, Connor Martin, Teddy Wishart, Josh Walker-Martin, Lya Reis Guerrero, Olly Mux, Louise Balkwill, Rosie Yadid
‘The Starling’ Club, Main Stage and Custom Card Tables, Photos by Ben Moorse, Henri T
Rhythm & Ruse, a night of Magic, Jazz and Cocktails. The show was designed to welcome and immerse the audience in a world of Deco-inspired glamour, mind-bending magic and a hedonistic lifestyle. Taking over an empty tunnel of the Vaults, this production was a large scale project with the intention to entirely transform from the gritty world outside to sumptuous decadence.
The concept began with two key inspirations, dark Art Deco glamour and Occult leader Aleister Crowley, inviting those who wish to explore deeper to experience a darker underbelly through conversations with the cast and 1:1s in closed off spaces.
Character Photos by Ben Moorse
The space also had an additional requirement to transform on weekends, post-show to an ever-changing Cabaret space. The stage therefore had to feel both of the world and transform comfortably with light for a range of late-night shows.
Modelbox and Build Photos
“This entire experience is immersive and time-bending as soon as you arrive you are walking through an art deco mirrored walkway into the performance space. It works well as a divide between your modern woes and the wonder and awe you will feel in the atmosphere within. There are dozens of large baize tables spread within and you can sit with others as the magicians all come to your table in turns to show you their magical array of illusions and tricks.”
Theatre & Tonic ★★★★★
“This experience is so classy and luxurious that you half expect to see Poirot wandering around enjoying this old world luxury. This was one of the best immersive theatrical experiences I have experienced in a long time. It has infinite capacity for newness but feels as welcoming as your favourite pub. It has magic, mystery, luxury and beautiful music and sums up the Jazz Age in a way that would make Gatsby proud.”
“the grand entrance to Rhythm & Ruse, with a big red and gold painted wall which is perfect for those insta shots but certainly sets the scene. Welcomed by the very friendly staff we left our coats in the free (free! In London!) cloakroom and were ushered through a corridors of deflecting glittering mirrors towards “The Starling” night club by cast members”
Pastabites
“There’s a certain pedigree that comes with having such well-known names within the world of immersive collaborating on an entirely original production, and thankfully, the show not only meets those lofty expectations but exceeds them. With a five-piece jazz band, close-up magic, and a curated selection of five cocktails included with your ticket, the show may well be London’s best night out.”
Immersive Rumours ★★★★★
“Isabella Van Braeckel’s set and costume design captures the detail of the Jazz Age period perfectly”
Franco Milazzo, Broadway World
“enter the glamorous world of a secret underground speakeasy, you are seduced into a sexy, sultry, smoky atmosphere where music (Rhythm) and magic (Ruse) are beautifully intertwined. The glasses you drink from are cut glass adding air of quality.”
Nick Wayne, West End Best Friend ★★★★
Isabella Van Braeckel : Designer for Performance 