"How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse " by Ben Muir.

Prism Theatre.

The Barge Inn Long Eaton.

This show has a dedicated team of experts who had got together, under the leadership of Dr Dale Seslick, to ensure that the myths and misconceptions surrounding those pesky undead were lifted for good in order that everyone could thrive and survive when the dead start to revive. (As long as they were marginally intelligent and rated as more than average on a scale of attractiveness). This is the seminar of their results telling you what precautions you need to take to survive a Zombie apocalypse.

This was one of the craziest, zaniest and most fun piece of semi-improvised piece of theatre I've seen for a very long time. The play kicked off by a rousing announcement of its' commencement by Chris Bryan in his best thespian voice, directing us up to the seminar.

I'm not normally a fan of audience participation theatre, but this was, most of the time, full audience participation where you vote, via a voting "A" or "B" paper to multi-choice questions. The other audience involvement used members who were known to the cast, to make sure that the willingness was there. there's nothing worse than picking someone who does not want to take part and the flow of the show becomes laboured. There was none of that labouring here, and with the audience members the "seminar" flowed with an entertaining rapidity.

If you got the answer wrong, you were eliminated from this part of the show and invited to screw up your voting paper and throw it at the stage.

When the majority of the audience are well versed with the machinations of theatre, this not only makes it a dream for the cast, but also for other audience members, as it brings great fun and energy to the show.

There's a "Q&A" session where the spontaneity of the cast members are given a gentle workout by audience members. By this time quite a bit of information has been given by the cast, ensuring that the questions, on the whole, were relative to the previous given information.

Just prior to this there was some gentle ribbing of some members of the audience, providing us with an audience member being dubbed "Clive", who then became the butt of some more gentle ribbing. Audience participation that does not embarrass the said audience member can be great fun for everyone, and "Clive" ran with it.

Anyway, I keep mentioning the cast, so it's time I told you about them.....

Dr Dale Seslick is the Seminar leader. Cool, calm, collected, charismatic. Fluent in zombie survival lore, she is never stumped for an answer. She punctuates her training seminars with continual use of hand gestures and buzz words. Played by Victoria Bryan, she led the panel of experts with the authority of a school teacher. Her talent for improvisation, especially with the audience "Q&A" session is extremely commendable, having a feasible answer for every question thrown at her without hesitation or faltering. An extremely smooth performance.

Judy O' Dea is Dr Dale’s second in command. She is scientific to a fault. Smart and to the point. She is the one who attempts to control the other two members of the team, although often gets drawn into the insanity unwillingly, she continues to act and react as if everything was carrying on normally. Played by Emma Lamont in the style of a school maam; all very proper with just a touch of primness, and when you have this combination, you can't help but snigger, a bit like a naughty schoolboy, at Judy's attempt to rein in the silliness.

Donna Straite is the survivalist who has followed every conspiracy theory in the book and has attempted and succeeded many difficult training exercises and has a penchant for cheese sandwiches - none of which were eaten during this production. Very keen to be involved in all aspects of training but can get easily distracted if there is someone in the audience she takes a shine to. Played by Milly Bould I loved the characterisation of this Australian; you get the image of Straite wrestling crocodiles with her bare hands, and winning! Straite is also the catalyst for many of the reasons for shaking up of some of the audience members, including "Clive". A brilliantly fun role.

Tristen Granger is Dr Dale’s nephew. He tries so, so hard but has absolutely no idea what is going on during the seminar. His stupidity is that of a childish wonderment - and he always tries to listen and understand what’s going on … until his mind drifts. Played by Matt McAuley, this is very different to any role that I have seen Matt play, or will probably ever play again. What other piece of theatre will an actor like Matt get to play a bear rug, be attacked by zombies, or be set on fire, and all on his Birthday as well!

All four actors delivered a piece of theatre that I will remember for a very long time, not just for the absurdity of the play and script, but for the immense fun that was had by everyone in the room. And no "Clives" were harmed in any way during the proceedings of the play. Afterwards may have been a different matter!

Directed by Kim-louise Sparks she had great trust in her four cast members, especially with the audience participation sections, after all that is something outside the Director's control, in a way a bit like pantomime, trusting the cast to know when to return to the script. Knowing the cast well is also vital to make sure that none of them would "dry" or "corpse" during the play, and Kim-Louise showed that trust and confidence.

Gauging the extent of the audience participation sections is another thing outside Directorial duties, but this show could not have gone any smoother. Kim-Louise was assisted by Emma Lamont in these duties.

Beth Yearsley was the show's Production Assistant.

What I also love about productions like this is the amazing support provided by so many local theatre actors who were in the audience, showing that local theatre is like one big family with the support of each other they provide.

This was a one off performance, but I have been advised that it may make a reappearance at some other time in the future!! if you do see that this is being performed anywhere near you, go and see it because you will love it.

This is Prism Theatre's second production and I for one can't wait to see where they go next and what they take on.