The Mermaid’s Tongue

Immersive theatre meets investigative thriller meets the Internet in Swamp Motel’s latest gripping online adventure.

Following the success of Plymouth Point (the remotely played murder mystery released on the web earlier this year), the immersive theatre company are back with their latest pandemic-possible offering, The Mermaid’s Tongue. Founders and Creative Directors Clem Garritty and Ollie Jones once again expertly turn traditional theatre on its head, creating a digitally focused experience that’s easily accessible from the comfort of its audience’s home.

The part treasure hunt, part socially-distanced escape room experience has participants deciphering clues and cracking codes, in an effort to recover a mysterious artefact before it falls into the wrong hands. Played in groups of two to six, it’s a thrilling and vaguely unsettling journey that pushes players to analyse videos, search the net and intently watch their phones in an effort to reveal the next piece of the puzzle. A word to the wise: some aspects require much more out-of-the-box thinking to put together than others.

The proceedings do get off to a bit of a slow start, and it takes some time to figure out what’s going on and therefore exactly what one needs to do, but the production soon finds its feet and progressively improves. Helpful nudges are also provided through a handy chat feature, should you need it (chances are, you will).

In the game’s 60 to 80 minutes (depending on whether you identify more as a Nancy Drew or an Inspector Gadget type) you’ll dust off your thinking cap and exercise sleuthing skills all the way to the final moments. No spoilers here, but rest assured the blindsiding conclusion will keep you talking well after the lights have dimmed (or rather, the session has ended).

Shawna Warmington

The Mermaid’s Tongue is online at Swamp Motel from 13^th October until 20^th November 2020. For further information or to book visit The Mermaid’s Tongue’s website here.