Dark Library: The Time Machine by After Hours Theatre Company is truly an impressive immersive experience, expanding beyond just H.G. Wells’ famous novel into a compelling multiverse of his creations.

The opening presents a detailed open-world scenario. Everything happens within one large room where you’re free to roam and engage with various characters. It’s nice to be able to look around the space and see what else is happening and make sure you’ve interacted with the all of the performers. Each character has their distinct area, like the chemistry setup for The Invisible Man. I found this interactive exploration and casual puzzle-solving to be my favorite part, due to the open world immersion.

Later, the narrative shifts, and for the most part, you remain seated as the performance progresses in a more traditional fashion, featuring a mix of drama, atmospheric singing, and expressive dance. The lighting and sound design did a wonderful job of making the space a character in the story as well as adding a few magical special effects that were wonderfully surprising. While those familiar with Wells’ work will appreciate the connections immediately, I can attest that it’s just as captivating for anyone not deeply versed in his stories (like me).

Overall, it’s a wonderfully written, memorable production. I highly recommend it for those who love theater and are curious about immersive experiences without diving into a completely free-form world.