Deal or dilemma: An immersive night in Sea World

Recently, I stepped into “The Deal” in Shekou Sea World, and I’m still buzzing from how immersive and unexpectedly intimate the whole experience was. My only regret is not being able to see it twice. This isn’t your typical play with a fixed script and set stage. “The Deal” turns the audience into co-creators, negotiators, and at times, participants.

A scene from “The Deal.” Courtesy of the show organizer

“The Deal” opens with a street scene where the audiences move among the actors as if we were all commuters and pedestrians going about our daily lives. I assumed the entire play would happen in that room, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the play would move up and down from floor to floor with each set being more lavish than the last.

If immersive, participatory theater appeals to you, “The Deal” is a must-see. It’s ambitious, provocative at times, and surprisingly humane in its insistence that we, as an audience, have a stake in the narrative. There are so many things happening at once and no two people will have the same experience.

My favorite part was being pulled away by the character who played the devil during the bar scene. He is easily recognized by his red coat. While most of the audience was watching the song and dance routine, about eight to 10 of us were above the action on the second-floor balcony watching the devil pour potions.

“The Deal” turns an evening into a shared experiment in negotiation, ethics, and personal life choices. This is a rare thing to witness in a city geared towards a professional working life like Shenzhen.