I’ve just spent 20 minutes sharing my soul with a complete stranger and it was glorious. Without Sin is part art installation and part immersive, interactive experience and all the better for the mash up. It shows that when you get this kind of set up right, it can be judged right up there with the best of the more traditional shows.
The information from ‘Unqualified Design Studio’ who developed Without Sin states it’s better to share the show with a stranger and I agree because with a stranger all expectations are subtly altered and you don’t have any reference points or pre-judgements. Only 2 people take part in the ‘show’ which makes it even more intimate and special.
It’s going to be hard to write this review without giving too much away, as part of the joy is just not knowing what is going to happen to you when you enter the rather ominous black box! Its set up deliberately like a confessional box but don’t fret, you’ll be in safe hands. The voice that issues out of the box is so comforting and calm, I’d like them to just follow me around forever and talk me down whenever life gets stressed! This disembodied voice eases you into relaxing and gives very clear instructions so any anxieties are swiftly overcome. 20 minutes flew by as the experience is so absorbing.
There is real skill in setting up something that on the surface appears so simple and making it work so well. You can’t see all the planning that must have gone into testing this ‘experience’ out but they’ve come up with an absolute ‘must do’ of the 2023 Fringe. Make your way to the Summerhall courtyard and step into the Without Sin’ box before it sells out.
