An interactive Zoom game at its most basic, but fun if most players submerse themselves in the experience
Presented by Shelby Bond
Reviewed 20 February 2021
There’s not a lot of good you can say about a pandemic, but it has encouraged innovation in the arts, if nothing else. While some Adelaide Fringe shows are offering live-stream options to selected performances, others are offering an exclusive online experience via Zoom.
For those who are not IT savvy, Zoom is an online video-chat service. All you need is a desktop PC or laptop with a microphone and webcam (camera). Don’t use a phone or tablet for any interactive Fringe shows.
The Wild West Adventure Party is one such interactive game where host, Pleasant Curtis, narrates a wild west, choose-your-own-adventure. The setting is 1883 during the start of the Barbed Wire Wars in New Mexico, USA (look it up!). You are travelling from Louisiana to New Mexico for work when your group is side-tracked into a town full of trouble.
What’s most extraordinary about this adventure is the international experience. Participants from the UK and USA tuned in, despite the time difference, and almost all followed the pre-show advice by creating wild west character names, and donning hats, feather boas and other props to embrace their characters. The session I attended (as Ryder Cowboy) was irrefutable evidence that it is the participation that makes this game fun. Five stars to the bravado of all 7 players for discarding their inhibitions and living in the moment. Without such participation, the Wild West Adventure Party would struggle to entertain.
Curtis is a fine narrator and host, but the game itself is minimal. The first half comprises warm up activities and practice sessions before the story itself commences. These are necessary but overlong. Once the game starts, participants are required to make decisions and roll dice (or use an app like Google’s random number generator) which can determine if they will live or die. Life-saving bonus points are given if selected challenges are achieved, but these often require participants to find household objects, which may exclude any players who are living with a disability.
The concept of Wild West Adventure Party is fantastic, and a lot of fun is had if the participants play up to their chosen character and the situations presented. Host, Curtis, works hard to ensure it plays to the strengths of those participating but it is not hard to fathom a dud session if there is a room full of shy players.
Those considering the game should take note of the pre-game instructions. Paper, pen, scissors and tape are all required, along with two dice or an app alternative. Instructions for logging in are provided by email prior to the game.
Wild West Adventure Party is an interactive Zoom game at its most basic but nonetheless fun if most players are prepared to submerse themselves in the experience. If you can let go of your inhibitions and engage with the other players, there will be more than a few yeehaws! waiting for you.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Venue: Play from home via Zoom
Season: 7pm on 19 February – 21 March 2021, excluding Mondays
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: $20
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/wild-west-adventure-party-af2021
Rating out of 5: 3
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#ADLFringe
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