THEATRE REVIEW: DrED&Dragons at the Lower Marsh Arts Club
Updated: Oct 17
DrEd&Dragons
Lower Marsh Arts Club, London
3.5/5 ⭐
A wizard, a barbarian and a bard walk into a tavern…
No, seriously.
DrED& Dragons, an ambitious new production from DrED, an emerging theatre company, is a Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) and Pathfinder mashup that brings the world of tabletop role-playing games to life on the stage.
Combining audience participation, humour and several high fantasy elements, it creates a fun, whimsical, absurd and surreal experience for the audience. Think Dungeons and Dragons meets theatre.
Set in the faraway land of Place Name, (a fitting name given the production), it follows three intrepid travellers; the barbarian Him of Bo, the bard Careless Whispers and the wizard Umac Shullie as they embark on a dangerous and hilarious quest to recover the king's crown after their homeland is thrown into turmoil during a peasant revolt.
But DrED&Dragons is no ordinary play.
True to D&D fashion, the power to influence, trick and bamboozle was in my hands from the moment I stepped into the theatre. Rather than sitting back and watching the show, the audience instantly becomes part of the action.
On arrival, guests are given a pamphlet assigning them a character based on the play’s three protagonists: the barbarian, the wizard or the bard. They then can use a physical die (which was thrown to the audience throughout the production) or a table top style app to sway their character’s actions and eventual fate.
Each character also had their own abilities sheet- I was assigned the wizard- where the audience could dictate their chosen protagonist through key decisions throughout the performance. This creates an immersive feel akin to a Choose Your Own Adventure experience, where the viewer’s choices directly impact the story, giving it a sense of urgency and agency.
The production’s plot- a loose enough premise for the viewer to follow- is effective enough to give it some narrative, allowing the audience some direction on the outcome. The biggest selling point- the audience interaction- has the potential to become more impactful during tense moments, the performers reacting in real time and using their improvisation skills to make the experience more than just the roll of the dice.
This is especially evident in the play’s final scene, where the characters acquire the crown and decide whether to keep it or use mind control on the king. Rather than following a pre- determined outcome, this decision is left to the audience, whose choices have tangible consequences for the story unfolding on stage.
The performer's ability to think on their feet helps make the experience unpredictable and suspenseful, ensuring that the audience participation did not disrupt the performance or flow of the narrative.
Far from being a linear production, the use of space at the Lower Marsh Arts Club and the loose script is effective, allowing the performers to interact freely with the audience. The stage and the simplicity of the set and props also place greater emphasis on the performers’ ability to bring the world of Place Name to life.
Although DrED&Dragons allows greater flexibility for audience participation, the lack of a structured script can occasionally disrupt the narrative and interrupt the production’s flow. Nevertheless, the cast’s improvisation helps maintain the narrative and accommodate the audience’s decisions.
The sound and set design by Daria Gorbonosova, combining a simple background with high fantasy style elements such as a castle wall and a D&D Dungeon Master screen, help establish the play’s mythical setting.
The use of mixed and muted lighting creates a dark and mysterious atmosphere, while occasional sound effects and props, such as coconuts mimicking horse hooves also add to the fantasy world.
The soundtrack, while sometimes generic in its fantasy style, complements the action and atmosphere without overshadowing the audience interaction that remains central to the production.
The pacing, although quick and awkward at times, often feels rushed, the narrative sometimes lacking direction due to the interactive nature of the show. However, the climax provides a satisfying conclusion, the audience’s decisions helping to tie up any loose ends and maintain a good pace towards the ending.
The chemistry between the lead characters is especially effective in bringing the narrative to life, providing plenty of opportunities for laughter and adding to the production’s comedic appeal. The variety in the actors’ performances, alongside the different game mechanics,
helps keep the audience engaged and adds to the unpredictability of the show.
The barbarian, in particular, stands out as one of the more comedic characters, their banter adding to the absurdity of the performance. The characters’ unusual dynamic creates an entertaining mix of personalities, the wizard’s calmer demeanour balancing the barbarian’s energy while the bard’s dark humour contributes to the show’s comedic appeal.
Overall, DrEd&Dragons offers an entertaining and refreshing take on the classic tabletop roleplaying genre, the intimate venue and the production’s simple staging providing a setting for a high stakes fantasy adventure.
Although the narrative is sometimes slow and confusing, the lead performers make the experience fun and memorable. Their ability to respond quickly to the audience and maintain their comedic timing without losing sight of the narrative is particularly commendable.
I came into this play expecting a linear high fantasy production. Instead, I got an absurd, comedic and surreal mix of D&D and Pathfinder that combined these elements into an unpredictable theatrical experience- and I could not have asked for more.
Nerea Fernandes
Journalist
October 2026
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