A Non-Canonical Musical Adventure with Pookamhura: Mistress of B-Roll
Reviewed by Arthur Bullock
The vibe of A Non-Canonical Musical Adventure with Pookamhura: Mistress of B-Roll is “being yourself.”
Video games might be a recent addition to modern society, but the desire to escape into a fantasy world and imagine something magical has resonated with people for as long as stories have existed. Pookamhura takes us on a multimedia musical adventure with four World of Warcraft players, and the conversation that unfolds between them when a lull in the game’s action gets them talking to pass the time.
The story is first presented on a projector screen, using footage from WoW combined with video editing and voice-overs. The focus then shifts to the story's four main characters, each one seated in a computer chair in front of an image of their in-game character. During regular dialogue, the game footage remains stationary, and the focus is on the physical actors. When a song starts, however, the actors’ singing and dancing are paired up with a music video made using more gameplay.
The production quality is exceptional throughout: great acting, great music, and great choreography. It’s a skillful blend of physical and digital, and it demonstrates a sense of familiarity both with World of Warcraft and with musical theatre. What I find especially notable is how active it all is, especially given the subject matter. Given that the show is about a video game, it would have been easy to have the performers simply sit still and speak — “talking heads,” as it’s sometimes called. This show doesn’t do that, though; the use of musical numbers means that characters are regularly getting up and moving around, and even when they’re sitting down, everyone is lively and animated.
As an avid gamer myself, I was already looking forward to this show, but it still managed to exceed my expectations. What begins as four people playing a video game grows into something beautiful, exploring themes of escapism, creativity, identity, prejudice and self-acceptance. This show is a must-see for anyone; even if you’ve never touched a video game in your life, I would still highly recommend it.
Event Details
Age Suitability: Parental Guidance (ages 13+)
Genre: Theatre—Drama, Musical/Concert/Opera
Run Time: 70 mins
A random group of MMO players meets Pookamhura, a gnome rogue inspired by Shakespeare's Puck, as they wait for another player to join them for a dungeon adventure.
During the wait, they reflect on their shared history as gamers and people, using original songs and humour.
One player reveals a secret that causes tension and challenges the group, forcing them to confront their prejudices and make difficult choices. The story explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and the complexities of life’s adventures.
A new musical by
Chris Cracknell
Book and stage direction by
Brian Morton
Cast
Emily Bolyea, Francis Wallace, Jelena Vermilion, Mason Micevski
Warnings
Coarse Language
A Message from the Artists
Chris Cracknell's musical creates an experience where queer, trans, and gay players express their identities through song, performance, and collaboration. Affinity Performance audience members are invited to wear pride gear and attend the performance, wanting to celebrate the community of queer and trans folk on and offstage.