Ambition - Melbourne 2004

Nine perfect strangers at a masquerade ball. A scream and 'Robin Hood' is flat on his face, a knife in his back.

The room is richly decorated with leather couches and antiques. You are in a mansion, and you are not alone. Others mingle in the space; other detectives like yourself, but also the suspects of your investigation. Both the household staff and the guests of this fatal masquerade ball are under suspicion. You will interview them as you mingle, but don't forget about the physical clues hidden in this magically real world. Tickets only $10.

Retrospective Comments

This was the first IMMI with actors. For me, Ambition was an amazing experience. The cast became family, and the show was a huge success in every way: the crowds, the performances, and what we were achieving with this new IMMI. Audiences really got into it, found the interaction accessible, and found such believability in the performances that the audience actually wanted to avoid certain characters.
It's important to note that Ambition was not a play, and it was not a bit of theatre in someone's house. It was a production that was thoroughly improvised, taking characters which the actor knew inside-out, and placing them in the murder-mystery circumstance.

AUDIENCE
"Great performances! Very impressed everyone could stay in character under such fire.

"Fantastic!! Heaps of fun. Will be back next week to continue the investigations!"

"Awesome! Those damn plates!!! I felt very, very challenged. Excellent."

"Excellent, an excellent idea, really original and really well planned. Brilliant."

"I truly appreciate this interactive experience. It delighted all of my senses. Thank you."

"Thanks for bringing something new to the world of performing arts. It was a great challenge and an enjoyable evening."

"That was an awesome show. It is so refreshing to be able to think for once and be entertained at the same time. Well done to all the cast too."

CREDITS
Creator/Director/Producer - Vanessa B Baylen

PERFORMERS
Andrew Holmes - Paul Nelson
Beck Green-Bottle - Frances Marrington
Boag Stub - David Lamb
Cassy Cade - Efisia Fele
Corona Crown - Lee Foyster
Draftance Carlton Dark - Benjamin Evans
Flip Grolsh - Tanya Rich
Prue Holmes - Samantha Hill
Victoria Bitter - Kate Scarlett

CREW
Casting Assistant - May Jasper
Stage Manager & Box Office - Helena Bender
Fundraising - Teresa Lebel
Artwork - Vanessa B Baylen

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Steve, Barb, RBG Chocolate Eaters, JC Westend,
and Clark Rubber Niddrie.