 Well, hello, I am here with Angus and Simon. Sorry, it's just as well because I was taking a big old glass of water there. And James. Oh, anyways, hello. Thank you for both of you coming to sit with me in your set. Well, before we crack on with the question about time fracture specifically, I want to talk about immersive theatre as it is, because it is a strange beast in comparison to normal theatre. So how would you best describe immersive theatre? Who wants to take it? Do you want to go for James? Yeah, sure. Well, it sort of depends on what immersive production you are. You're watching because there's all sorts of different ways of doing it. You know, there can be immersive theatre that is like this is very narrative structured and you are following a clear thread that might splinter off into a few different directions. Or there's other kind of immersive theatre which is essentially like a sandbox immersive, which is I think what Secret Cinema in particular are very good at. So where you would rock up and you would explore a world and there might be missions within that world for you to do. But really, it's like GTA, basically, but with less violence and cars. So yeah, really, there are so many different strands to it. And that's actually why I think it's such an exciting art form anyway, because it's still quite nascent in terms of what the form has actually achieved theatrically. So there's still so, so much that is yet to be uncovered in what kind of stories you can tell and what you can achieve through immersive theatre. So yeah, it's really exciting. It's time to be part of it. Fantastic. The illusions to stuff like GTA is interesting because like there is so much more crossover now in terms of, in every, in all media and all culture, there's so much more crossovers between different disciplines and the way they didn't used to be. And so now the crossover between theatre and game design is very, especially in this particular spectrum is the same. Like you look at the map of say a particular, of an adventure game and how you sort of algorithmically proceed through that and the map of how you create something like this. And it's pretty much one-to-one in terms of similarity in terms of how you visualize a project like that. So yeah. That's terrific. And getting into Time Fracture itself, it'd be weird not to considering where we're sitting. How did you two get involved with Time Fracture? James, do you want to go first? Yeah, sure. So I knew the director Tom Malla and the writer Dan from a previous immersive job that I'd done, which was the Immersive Great Gatsby. And we didn't work on it at the same time, but we had all worked on the production at various points. So we sort of knew each other. And back in the summer of 2020, they needed someone to do the unit field logs, which were on the Doctor Who YouTube channel, which essentially kind of functioned as a bit of a teaser trailer for the show. And they said, will you, will you play a unit scientist in the trailer? And I sort of extorted the part from them now. I said, yes, I will do it if it means I can be in the actual show. And they sort of said, well, that's one less actor we have to worry about with auditions. So yeah. So that was my sort of extortion was essentially how I managed to do it. Nice. Unlike James, I'm here on merit. No, I just, I auditioned. I think I got put up for it. Because in the show, I play William Shakespeare, and I had a little bit of Shakespeare experience and had quite a bit of improv experience. And I think they, they chose me based upon the fact that I could do both those things at the same time. That was basically it. I think it was just, that was the only reason they, they, they cast me and trying to think if it shakes, can I say Shakespeare or the lights are starting to turn on. Nice. What's really worrying is we're the only people here at the moment. That's just the haunted building. Oh good. But that's one of the most beautiful things about watching Angus is, I think we can, we can say Shakespeare. That's on the publicity for the show, isn't it? I think that's on the publicity for the show. Oh, then I'm good. Shakespeare's in it. Shakespeare's in it. I think it's, yeah, he is in it. Yeah. It's, it's, and it's, and I think I, yeah, I, like most people, I just, I just auditioned and had a, had a lovely audition. And it's very rare that you have a lovely audition. And you're, and you said, give us your best Shakespeare speech. And you're like, finally, sir. You don't know what you've unleashed. See, it's funny. I've asked everyone this question now, and they've all had such different answers. The first two, Jess and Simon said their auditions went terribly. And then Sam said he had to shout a plant for about 20 minutes. And now it's, and you just, you extorted it and you Shakespeare it. I want to know more about Sam shouting at the plant. You're welcome to ask him about it, because watch the interview. Well, what you tell me. Well, from what he said, he had to shout at a plant as if it were a bomb at one point. And then they were getting married to the plant. It would, yeah. I mean, talk to Sam. That's the magic of immersive city. That's not in the show, or maybe it is. There's lots of bits I haven't seen yet. Yeah. Can you make something out of? I think I just wanted to see what Sam would do. Yeah, just to prank. What else can we make him do? Well, speaking of characters such as Shakespeare, I didn't know this going in, but I, you can play different characters during. In fact, I believe it was Simon who was saying you have sort of waves of who you can play. So who are your two or more? My two, my primary two are Shakespeare and the other on the scale are Cyberman. And I sometimes also understudy one of James's roles. Lovely. Yes, which is Captain Stephen Davis, the tortured Institute Cardiff. So for those of you out there who are fans of the series, Torchwood, Captain Stephen Davis is in the series two episode exit wounds. You don't actually see him, but it's that era of Torchwood, that sort of late 1800s period with Emily and so forth. So yeah, you meet Captain Stephen Davis kind of after his office has been split in two by the time fracture. And it's been partially subdued by, should we say, a more familiar iteration of Torchwood. And then there's also Brian the Ood, which is those of you who are... There's a lot of fans of Brian the Ood. So yeah, Brian the Ood is a is tremendous fun. And it's yeah, it's more and more people start to become aware of Brian actually having people actively seek you out and go, are you Brian? Yes. You should really confuse him one day and go, no. Not I. You're thinking of a different Ood and attacks. There's lots of us. And so yeah, and then I think you might have to beep these for spoilers, but I also cover and in the next contract I shall cover Davros as well. I think I'm okay for Davros, but definitely can't say that. I wonder who he could be talking about. Well, actually, I think you were that character when I came here because I've only been here the once and it was a few weeks ago, but you might have been... It's very possible. I am tonight as well. So yes, you shall definitely see me. Yes. Sam Hunt has since I've been recording with him convinced me to come tonight as well. So that he's he's extorted me. I mean, I'm paying money. Anyway, so out of those characters, what are the funnest to play? Oh, I mean, I initially thought that I'd certainly got the most enjoyment out of Captain Stephen Davis when I was first doing it. But then the more I've done Brian, the more kind of stuff I have managed to figure out and how to kind of squeeze the most fun from every kind of moment of the track. Because that's the really beautiful thing about this medium is it's not just the words are written down for you in a script. So much of it relies on the audience setting you up for stuff and them setting you up for stuff too. So as it goes on, you get better and better and better at working out, right? How can I make this game or this mission the most fun it can possibly be? And you change it every single night. And it's almost I suppose it's almost like kind of doing you've got more experience in the comedy world than I do. But like, I suppose it's almost like refining a comedy set, like you go back and change stuff and you move stuff around. I had to be really like that massively, like especially especially just like this moment like when I'm in the room doing the Shakespeare stuff with the audience. And I and I and I've got my my kind of set stuff that I do with them, which is the illusion of spontaneity because it's kind of call and response based and is based upon their answers, which are very just little modules that can slot into these beautiful things that I prearranged. I made the lights do that. That's all me. The raw power of this. I'm dangerous. Stay away from me. Now, if only it was like this the entire time early in everything. Yeah. So you say it is. I found it very, very similar to doing stand up in that sense. And so far as they're just over time, your your organic sense of the audience and just how to sort of control them in the space and how to when to let them loose and when to seize control and when to pay attention to me. And then now you can say your thing. Like no, come this way now. But gradually, gradually, gradually that just gets leaner and leaner and leaner over time. And then you have a really great night and it's fantastic. And then you have just an absolute trash night where your magic doesn't work. And you're like, this is so annoying. And then you're like, right back to the drawing board. And it's like this. And then you get really depressed in the bar afterwards. And you're like, it killed last night. Yeah. So yeah, I think for me, I think it's really like stand up in that sense. Terrific. And do you have a favorite of your characters to play? I mean, only one of them speaks. Fair point. But yeah, obviously Shakespeare is my favorite. But to give credit to the side man, it is fun. It is fun being a side man. Just just. Is it based on the reaction of everyone else? Yeah, pretty much. Yeah. Because when you walk out there and people are and you and you and people run, run fleeing from you, it's really nice. And then small children with sonic screwdriver is trying to stop you. And then you can kind of make their day by being stopped by them. And that's really cool. That's a lovely thing. One of the most fun things on this show has been, so I used to also operate a Dalek at one point as well, actually sit in it and pilot it. I don't think that's a spoiler. They're on the posters. They might even be one in the room. They'd be writing if they didn't. There is nothing more fun than when you're in a Dalek. And an audience member doesn't think they have been seen. And then you just swivel the ice to the ground and just dosh the number of screams. Yeah. Just delightful fun because I'm a sadist. Yeah, that'll do it. I mean, again, I'm going to try and avoid spoilers, as I say. But when I was here last, the Dalek came out and I was fully looking the complete wrong way. And it was it was a case in like a horror movie where someone was like tapping me on the shoulder, like look around. I was like, what? What? And it was just in. Oh my God. So keep your eyes peeled is what I will say there. But on the tracks of like the kids playing with the sonic and all those little funny moments, one thing I've come to understand is as an actor, it's all about making just the guest's day in their own special way. So that must come out with some weird funny stories, whether it be with other cast members or with certain guests. Yeah. I mean, for some reason, people come into my room as Shakespeare. They come into my room with a lot of like their personal research that they've done. And occasionally, there'll be some very sort of this lovely silver head woman and a Pashmina who knows a lot about Shakespeare. And I was just and I was uttering some people out of my room as she turned around and confronted me quite gleefully. I was like, so what was it like when you got done for poaching? I didn't know. I didn't know. I didn't know. I was just like, I was just a bit of that. Yeah. Then I started improvising and being upset about it, being annoyed that I've been caught with a trout down my britches. You know, which I don't know if that's true. I don't know if that's true about Shakespeare, but it was true. He's not going to sue us for life. But I think he's not. He's not. Yeah, we'll be right. That's him. Yeah. So stuff like that's really lovely when the audience comes with their attachment to a character and you feel them engage that extra point more and then you feel like, OK, I've got to dig deep here and get out the actual stuff in your sort of character utility belt. Actually, considering Shakespeare is one of those characters where it's kind of hard to find him, I bet she was proper chuffed. She walks in the room like, ah, swiveling her wine. Yes. You're in trouble now, actor. I do get a lot of wine swivelers. It's really true. There's a very imperious attitude that happens. Like, it's a real season ticket to Stratford types, you know. Well, if I can come around tonight, I'm going to try and hunt you down and just I'm going to Google some Shakespeare facts. You won't find me tonight. I'm so mad tonight. So I will find you. It's going to be tricky. Do you see of someone in the show tonight just yelling Shakespeare trivia at a cyberman? To be or what? Well, how about you? So I always... Actually, I suppose you don't get a lot of interaction with the crowd. Not as much. I mean, so Brian obviously, he kind of gets his group at the start of that section of the show and then kind of mother ducks them around for the rest of the wave pretty much. So, you know, people can join on to Brian's way. But generally, it's quite small and quite contained. But I really enjoy one of my favourite things to ask is Brian, who obviously for those that know the character will know that he kind of relishes his role as an assassin. And one of my favourite things to do is to ask my group, what are your preferred methods of assassination? And quite often they'll say, you know, or blaster or dagger or something like that. And there was one child who was probably too small for me to be even asking this question now that I think about it. But this can't have been older than seven came out with the most violent, terrifying, genuinely bone-chilling method of assassination I've ever heard. And even I, as Brian, was genuinely terrified. And I said to, you know, the grown-up that this person was the person, excuse me, is this your son? Yes, yes, congratulations. Your progeny is quite the fledgling psychopath. I imagine you are very proud and his teachers are very worried. And it was just, this kid had this maniacal glint in his eye and I have never forgotten it since. It will haunt me until the day I die. It was something to do with, it was involved, you, this might not even go on the channel, you're going to have to do a lot of bleeping here. But it was to do with making them drink petrol to the point where they would throw up all over their clothes and also on the floor. You then light the petrol and then the petrol ignites, burns up all the way up their clothes and then on their skin and down into their throat and they basically burn themselves alive from the inside just from you throwing a match onto the floor. And I, it was a good job I was wearing a nude mask because I was sat there going, meanwhile Brian is sort of nodding quite sagely, but James inside the mask is traumatised. Oh my God. So, yes, or just, just remarkable. Yeah, so if you're out there, Dr. V Brian audience member, you have successfully traumatised me, all the respect in the world to you. I bet you, imagine if he does watch that and he just comments like, good. That's what I was going for. So that's, that's a, that was a, that was a highlight for mine. It sounds amazing. But I've got one final question and in my notes, I've just written it as one word, vanity. Now, funny story, a couple of months back, before I'd even seen the show proper, I actually put my CV in to try and get an audition. I got ghosted, but that's fine. Welcome to the world of acting. Yeah, that's, yeah. Anyway, but I've come here and you've interacted me a bit. If there was a character that I would be best for, who would it be? I will say I'm not very well versed in Shakespeare. So maybe not that. I mean, you've got your lab coat on. So you're rocking quite unity vibes at the moment as is. So it feels quite unity to me. Someone in unit maybe? Yeah, or I mean, everyone has to double. So we could go unit scientists, we could also go. I see the beige chucks down the bottom there. Well done. And I see the quite tannish hairstyle as well. So we have these characters that are called Time Lord Guides, who are Time Lords and their job is to guide the audience around. And they are, in many ways, they are like the Doctor. They're not the Doctor. They're not the Doctor. They're kind of like the Doctor. That confused me. Extremely copyrighted figure of the Doctor. Yeah, so they're sort of the Aldi versions of the Doctor. It's if you bought the Doctor on Wish, that's sort of what you thought. Yeah, so I think you are giving some wonderful Time Lord Guide energy as well, where all of the costumes of our TLGs have little nods to Doctor's past, including from Curse of the Fatal Death. That was my fate. So I reckon with the chucks and their hair, we are pretty much on the road. Well, does it help if I can do the voice? Oh yes, everyone can do a bit of a tenant, can't they? It's too easy, it's too easy not to. But yes, thank you for coming on. It's been a pleasure. I mean, I say coming on. I came to you. It's very convenient. You're just at work. I've just barged in with a camera and said, hey. It's nice coming to work early. It gets me out of home to walk the dog. It's nice. That's fair. Well, I do have a little gift for you. Oh, that's what the bank is for. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Yeah, absolutely. Superstar, thank you so much. So sweet of us. Thank you. I forgot to film the editing. I did that with the others. Thank you, which is very good, but our show is absolutely loaded with Easter eggs. Yep. That's the perfect way to do it. Doctor Who Community show. Thank you so much. Like, share and subscribe. Be a bunch of huns. Yes.