Self-dubbed ‘the world’s first live-scored audience RPG’, Extra Lives: The Interactive Video Game Concert is at the Gilded Balloon.

A show where the audience controls the adventure in real time using their phones, voting on what happens next, with each decision influencing the live narrative and correlating songs.

The show delivered a brilliant concept that creates an extra layer of audience engagement. Audience interaction runs throughout the show from on your device to on the stage, but thankfully on this night never felt forced, with plenty of opportunities for volunteers.

Inspired by classic video games, the live band are a musically tight and talented trio who instantly draw you in, leaving you torn between watching the game unfold or watching the band perform. One moment that really stuck in the mind is when the trio played along with the video game on screen in real time, a true showcase of their musicianship.

With their live tight performance and impressive interaction technology, the show’s weakness for me lay in the narrative, which felt forced to squeeze in as many game references as possible. This particular show is also pitched as a family show but certain elements of the storyline and music were suited for an older audience. A stronger, more focused storyline and music aligned with its target audience would have helped the show flow more naturally.

Extra Lives has clearly been carefully curated to give each band member their moment to shine musically, from keytar and guitar to drums, which each member does with absolute ease. On this particular night, the bassist appearing on the screen pre-recorded felt slightly disconnected as it wasn’t ever mentioned during the show. If the four-piece had performed as a full live band, there’s no doubt it could have had an even greater impact.

There’s a strong and clever concept at the heart of the show, particularly with its use of phones and real-time audience interaction. With a tighter storyline and a faster pace, there’s plenty of potential here to make this a Festival Fringe staple.

★★★