The immersive theatre scene is booming, offering audiences a unique and thrilling escape from reality. Productions like The Wolf of Wall Street are at the forefront of this movement, plunging viewers directly into the chaotic world of Jordan Belfort and his infamous stockbroking firm. However, this embrace of immersion and audience interaction has raised crucial questions about the safety and well-being of the Actors In The Wolf Of Wall Street and similar productions. While audiences seek excitement and boundary-pushing experiences, it’s vital to ensure these immersive environments are safe and respectful for the performers at the heart of the show. This article explores the measures being taken to protect actors in immersive theatre, using The Wolf of Wall Street as a key example, in the wake of growing concerns about audience behaviour and performer vulnerability.
Incidents at previous immersive shows, such as Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More in New York and The Great Gatsby in London, have highlighted the potential risks faced by actors. Reports of groping and sexual misconduct at these productions spurred industry-wide conversations about safeguarding in immersive theatre. In 2018, BuzzFeed News revealed numerous complaints of sexual misconduct at Sleep No More, while The Times reported two separate incidents of sexual assault on actors during The Great Gatsby in London. These events served as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need for robust safety protocols to protect performers in these intimate and interactive environments.
Alexander Wright, the director behind both The Great Gatsby and The Wolf of Wall Street immersive productions, acknowledged that the experiences on The Great Gatsby directly informed the safety measures implemented for The Wolf of Wall Street. Learning from the past incidents, Wright and his team developed a “blueprint to make safe immersive theatre.” This proactive approach involved establishing clear rules, enhancing security systems, and ensuring a strong staff presence during performances. The goal was to create an environment where actors in The Wolf of Wall Street could fully engage with the immersive experience without feeling exposed or vulnerable to inappropriate audience behaviour.
The Guild of Misrule, the production company behind The Great Gatsby and The Wolf of Wall Street, has implemented a comprehensive set of safeguarding practices. These measures are designed to protect actors and maintain a safe environment for both performers and audience members. Key initiatives include enhanced door security to manage entry and monitor audience flow, personal alarm buttons for actors to discreetly signal for help if needed, and a code-word system to discreetly flag audience members exhibiting problematic behaviour. Furthermore, CCTV cameras are strategically placed to provide surveillance of the performance space, and a dedicated safeguarding, consent, and inclusion coordinator is part of the production team. For each performance of The Wolf of Wall Street, approximately 30 staff members are present to manage an audience of 300, ensuring a high level of oversight and support for the actors.
Actors in immersive theatre productions like Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More have faced challenges regarding audience behaviour.
Clear communication of boundaries is a cornerstone of the safety strategy for The Wolf of Wall Street. Director Alexander Wright emphasized the importance of setting clear expectations for audience conduct from the outset. Prior to attending the show, audience members receive a pre-show email detailing what to expect and outlining acceptable behaviour. Upon arrival at the venue, prominent signage reinforces these rules. Before entering the main performance area, audience members participate in a pre-show briefing, described as an “airlock,” where the rules of engagement within the immersive world are explicitly explained in small groups. This multi-layered approach aims to ensure that all audience members are aware of the boundaries and understand how to interact respectfully with the actors in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Equity, the union representing professional performers, has voiced significant concerns about the potential “nightmarish” situations that actors in immersive theatre can encounter. Charlotte Bence, an industrial organiser at Equity, highlighted that while large-scale productions like The Wolf of Wall Street and Secret Cinema generally have resources for safety, smaller, less experienced productions often lack adequate safeguards. Equity has documented cases of malfunctioning radios in large venues, leaving performers isolated with audience members and unable to contact security. They also raised concerns about CCTV monitoring being inadequately staffed, with individuals juggling multiple roles and potentially missing critical incidents.
According to Bence, a primary issue stems from theatre producers who are new to immersive theatre and may underestimate the importance of robust security measures. There is sometimes a misconception that explicitly instructing the audience on appropriate behaviour might detract from the immersive experience. However, Equity argues that clear communication and proactive safety measures are essential to protect actors and create a sustainable and ethical immersive theatre environment. Ignoring these safeguards can create dangerous situations and undermine the positive potential of immersive performances.
Felix Barrett, the founder and artistic director of Punchdrunk, a pioneering company in immersive theatre, articulated the ambition to “[build a parallel universe]” for audiences to escape reality. The Arts Council has recognized immersive theatre as a sector that “is breaking away from established forms of theatre making and eliminating the fourth wall.” This desire to break down barriers and create intensely engaging experiences is a driving force behind the popularity of immersive theatre, but it also necessitates a heightened focus on actor safety and audience management, particularly for productions like The Wolf of Wall Street that depict intense and potentially volatile scenarios.
Felix Barrett and Peter Higgin from Punchdrunk, leaders in the immersive theatre movement.
Alexander Wright believes that immersive theatre inherently involves pushing boundaries. He stated that creative work should involve stepping outside comfort zones and embracing a degree of risk. However, Wright also acknowledged the specific challenges of adapting The Wolf of Wall Street, a story saturated with drug abuse, sexual assault, and violence, for an immersive stage production. He emphasized that approaching such material responsibly requires careful consideration of safety and ethical implications. Failing to prioritize these concerns would be “utterly reckless” and would compromise the integrity and quality of the production for both the actors in The Wolf of Wall Street and the audience.
Immersive theatre, at its best, thrives on a sense of orchestrated chaos and audience agency. Ticket holders become active participants in the unfolding drama, guided and interacted with by actors skilled in improvisational performance and audience engagement. During rehearsals for The Wolf of Wall Street in London, a journalist experienced a taste of this immersion, participating in simulated scenarios such as boarding a plane with illicit substances and evading FBI agents. This firsthand experience highlighted the dynamic and unpredictable nature of immersive theatre, underscoring the importance of safety measures to protect actors within these potentially high-energy and boundary-blurring environments.
Ollie Tilney, who stars as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, believes that the inherent edginess of immersive theatre is a source of its unique energy. He suggests that pushing boundaries, within safe and controlled parameters, can generate an “electric” atmosphere that is not achievable on a traditional stage. Tilney concludes that the role of the actors in The Wolf of Wall Street is to approach that edge of intensity and immersion as closely as possible, while always prioritizing safety and ensuring a positive and respectful experience for everyone involved.
In conclusion, the rise of immersive theatre, exemplified by productions like The Wolf of Wall Street, presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for actors and producers alike. While the immersive format offers a powerful and engaging theatrical experience, it is paramount to prioritize the safety and well-being of performers. The proactive measures implemented by The Wolf of Wall Street, including enhanced security, clear communication of boundaries, and a dedicated safeguarding team, represent a positive step towards creating safer and more sustainable immersive environments. Ongoing dialogue, vigilance, and a commitment to ethical practices are essential to ensure that actors in immersive theatre can thrive and continue to push creative boundaries without compromising their safety or dignity.
