DARKFIELD is a collection of immersive audio experiences that take place in complete darkness. It’s set inside shipping containers dressed to either resemble a flight, with surprising detail, or a weird spooky room with questionable Feng shui.
You’re urged to proceed with an open mind, which was particularly difficult for me as every part of my body was clenched.
I settled into my seat for FLIGHT. There was a vague explanation establishing different worlds, letting me know I was in the spooky one. I was one step ahead: I sat against the back wall, so I had something to remind me where I was.
It didn’t work.
The sound design was impressively convincing. They were particularly cruel for adding babies crying, establishing infants on the flight, right before the captain tells me I’m Schrödinger’s Cat and we’re all going to die.
I was paranoid and nauseous the entire time, and on my next trip, I’ll probably take the train.
I went straight into SÉANCE, and honestly, I didn’t want to do it. I was very aware I might be the first adult woman to wet myself during this experience, but I had bravely agreed to review them both.
Once my headphones were on, the voice of a camp 13th-century hypnotist could be heard casing the room, touching people and imploring them to stay calm.
Spoiler alert: I was not calm.
There were moments of humour in SÉANCE, though, as he failed to correctly name the present spirit, and I couldn’t help thinking how I would absolutely devour a sitcom starring this bizarre man hell-bent on raising the dead.
I removed my headphones at times as this experience was more overwhelming than the last. What FLIGHT has in detailed set dressing and realism, SÉANCE challenges with loud noises in what is essentially a really bad dinner party, where a demon attempts to inhabit your body.
As an interactive sonic experience, DARKFIELD delivers. The intimate nature of the sound design managed to override my mind, to the point where I don’t think I had a single sane thought.
Except for one – if I die for real, would I get my money back? What’s the policy on that?
Overall, DARKFIELD is a surprising and somewhat isolating experience. Despite being in a small space with a pretty large group of people, the well-crafted sound design really makes you feel utterly alone.
Realscape Productions in association with DARKFIELD presents the two most popular DARKFIELD experiences – SÉANCE and FLIGHT – at Powerhouse Ultimo until July 2nd 2023.
General admission tickets cost $25; Concession tickets cost $20. Tickets are available at www.darkfield.com.au/sydney
Note: Suitable for ages 13+. 13 to 15-year-olds to be accompanied by an adult. Check content warnings before the purchase of tickets.
