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Immersive theatre company Punchdrunk has announced that its immersive sci-fi adventure Lander 23 – A Live Action Video Game is set to close in London.

Punchdrunk announced in January that Lander 23 was extending at its London home of One Cartridge Place in Woolwich until 10 May 2026, and that will now be the show’s closing date.

Lander 23 is conceived, directed and designed by Punchdrunk’s Felix Barrett (Paranormal Activity), and brings together physical theatre, team strategy, and sci-fi thrills into an immersive adventure game.

Quick take: The closure of Lander 23 marks the latest chapter for Punchdrunk, the company that pioneered the “mask-theatre” movement with global hits like Sleep No More and the epic The Burnt City. While the company continues to diversify, having recently launched the intimate, narratively-driven Viola’s Room and the primary-school focused Fireside Tales via their Punchdrunk Enrichment arm, Lander 23 will be remembered as their most ambitious foray into the world of interactive gaming to date.

Inside the Mission: Lander 23

As Lander 23 prepares to conclude its run, the production leaves behind a significant mark on the London immersive theatre scene. The experience successfully blurred the lines between traditional stagecraft, high-stakes gaming and live-action role-play, turning its audience into the protagonists of a sci-fi thriller.

The story places the audience at the heart of a high-risk recovery mission. Tasked with visiting a lethal, unexplored planet to secure a volatile energy source, players have to uncover the fate of the original “Lander 23” crew, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

A Tale of Two Squads

What sets the production apart is its interdependent gameplay mechanic, which splits the audience into two distinct roles:

  • The Command Team (“Drivers”): Stationed aboard the ship, these players act as the “brains” of the operation, using strategy and surveillance to navigate the mission.
  • The Ground Team (“Fields”): The “boots on the ground” who don audio headsets to physically traverse the alien terrain, relying entirely on the Command Team for their survival.

This reliance on real-time communication creates a sense of tension, as the “Fields” faced physical threats while the “Drivers” raced against a ticking clock to bring them home.

The Creative Team

The production boasts an impressive roster of West End and immersive veterans. The world-building is led by co-directors Kath Duggan and Joel Scott, with a visual landscape crafted by designers Livi Vaughan and Beatrice Minns. The team also includes:

  • Lighting: Felix Barrett and Sarah Readman
  • Sound: Gareth Fry
  • Video Design: Bruno Cordeiro
  • Game Systems: Meaning Machine

Plan your visit

  • Theatre: One Cartridge Place, Woolwich, London
  • Dates: Booking to 10 May 2026.
  • Tickets: See the link below for our Lander 23 show page with live availability and tickets
Sign-up for booking alerts, offers & news about Lander 23 and other shows:
Main photo: Punchdrunk - Lander 23

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