Zombie Outbreak Forecast in Christchurch

Media Release
For Immediate Release

ZOMBIE OUTBREAK FORECAST IN CHRISTCHURCH

Royale Productions & Game Change present
ZOMBIE: RED ZONE & ZOMBIE: RED ZONE GAMING
A Generation Z Project

Christchurch, be prepared for an undead invasion as the immersive theatrical experienceZombie: Red Zone, storms into the city from April 24th to May 17th – with the “expansion pack” Zombie: Red Zone Gaming taking place from April 17th to May 3rd.

Present day. Your city. A global pandemic known as the ‘Z’ virus has devastated the world, turning everyday people into ravenous hordes of undead. Military outposts and quarantine stations were established in an attempt to control the outbreak but it was futile. The plague spread. The dead rose.

Forget sitting comfortably in your chair with your snack in hand. ZOMBIE: RED ZONE is a play on steroids, performed in a purpose built, site-specific military zone. It exists in a rich and detailed world, one with not only the traditional ‘thrills and spills’ of the horror genre but with interactive elements that place the audience at the centre of the experience. Forced to make choices that drive the narrative forward, audiences must overcome challenges and grapple with their humanity in a decaying world. ZOMBIE: RED ZONE is immersive theatre with guts.

“…the show builds to a thrilling climax with a memorable house-of-horrors experience that is not for the faint-hearted.” – The New Zealand Herald

Brainchild of David Van Horn (Sione’s Wedding, Avatar) and former Christchurch localSimon London (My Wedding and Other Secrets, The Hobbit), the show was a smash hit when it launched in Auckland in 2013 (under its original title Apocalypse Z). A theatrical rule-breaker, it fostered a new audience not usually associated with the theatre; young men and women aged between 13 and 30.

“Apocalypse Z was genius, so good I saw it twice. It was a triumph in a time when so many young people live their creative lives online, or have the creativity mass-produced for them via video games.” – Psychologist and TV personality Nigel Latta, author of “The Politically Incorrect Guide to Teenagers.

Its success lead to an “expansion pack”; in 2014, Royale Productions debuted a ‘live-action-video-game’ version of the franchise during the return of New Zealand’s premier music event Big Day Out. Players were asked to pit their wits against hordes of zombies in installations across the festival, for the chance to win the ultimate Pearl Jam experience. The magnitude of its popularity stretched Royale’s resources to the limits; and with crowds having to be turned away, Big Way Out banished any doubts about the popularity of this new form of theatre.

Taking its cue from first person video games, the Christchurch game will be an audience led experience that combines immersive theatre, live gaming and interactive role play. Participants follow clues and embark on a quest combining video game aesthetics, orienteering and site-specific performance.

ZOMBIE: RED ZONE GAMING explodes outside the four walls of the performance space, and transforms the CBD into an apocalyptic wasteland. A hidden world awaits to be discovered, offering players insights which will enhance their experience of the live show. Whether they uncover the abandoned control station, the secret laboratory or a rebel hideout - each discovery could be the key to survival.

These school holidays, ZOMBIE: RED ZONE & ZOMBIE: RED ZONE GAMING bring their chaotic majesty to the South Island in a heart stopping race for survival that will ultimately test the tenacity of the human spirit!

ZOMBIE: RED ZONE plays
April 24th – May 17th 2014, 7pm & late shows
Secret Location - You will receive location coordinates after purchasing tickets
Costs: $32 / Under 25: $22 (booking fees apply)
Tickets available via dashtickets.co.nz

ZOMBIE: RED ZONE GAMING
April 17th – May 3rd 2014
$10 (tickets available only on day of play at Christchurch Arts Centre from 10am)
Various locations across Christchurch CBD

© Scoop Media