La Séance

Hotel Who is back with their 3rd event, and it's great to see them constantly improving their formula. Compared to Love Story, La Seance takes a more intimate approach with a smaller crowd, allowing guests to interact more with each other and with the characters. This also helps guests understand what is going on at all times. I was amazed to see that all fellow attendees dressed to the nines and participated heavily in the roleplaying aspect on the date I attended, which elevated the experience further. With this type of show, the more you put into it, the more you get out. The higher tiered ticket includes a meal and an extra hour of showtime. The feast was delicious and offered a variety of food, including dessert. However, with the limited time set aside to eat, I found I couldn't enjoy it as long as I'd have liked to, especially since the show still went on while we were eating. For those more invested in the story, the worth of the ticket is in the extra hour, as it provided more backstory and plot elements. Acting remains strong as ever, with actors expertly improvising and playing with other guests while displaying physical and vocal talents. We get the sense that these characters are fully realized individuals, rather than 2-dimensional NPCs meant to move the story along. One of the strongest highlights of any Hotel Who show is how they encourage guests to work together. It's always fun to hear wild accusations flying around and to listen to other players' theories. La Seance continues this tradition and throws in a ton of clues and red herrings, making the ending not as predictable. Unfortunately, with 4 stories to climb, the experience is not accessible to those with mobility issues. Be prepared to stay on your feet for most of the night as seating is limited. It can also get pretty crowded, so those with anxiety around crowds may want to reconsider. There are also only a few bathrooms on site. If you enjoy role playing, interactions, and murder mysteries, make sure to pay Castle Ivar a visit to participate in La Seance.