Imagine you’re in a choose your own adventure audio book in the pitch dark and the ‘only’ thing stopping you from making rational decisions is a lack of a clear understanding about exactly what dystopian world you’ve found yourself in – oh, and your rising panic. That’s ARCADE.

The latest production from immersive theatre experts, Darkfield, starts jovially enough. You’re warned about the darkness, warned to use your token wisely and then shown into their signature container and invited to take a place standing in front of one of a row of 1980s style amusement arcade machines. Comfortingly retro bubblegum-neon lights streak the ceiling and a jaunty soundtrack lulls you into thinking that this particular arcade game might be easy enough to beat. Then the lights go out.

As we have come to expect from Darkfield, the soundscape is discombobulatingly superb. The pitch blackness of the container is so absolute that you don’t need to shut your eyes. But if you dare to do it anyway and imagine yourself wholly in the world they’ve created, the effect is chilling. Sporadic sensory effects exacerbate the disorientation.

This is an incredibly bold venture by Darkfield. Previous shows have been immersive, but haven’t afforded this opportunity for interaction. Their storybook style concept offers a horribly topical vision of societal breakdown, and invites you to take sides without giving any clear idea of which side stands for what. Lives are cheap in this dog-eat-dog world so you might find yourself questioning exactly how far you’d go to keep hold of yours.

If you’re anything like this reviewer, it’ll take you a little while to catch on to how exactly you’re meant to use your ‘vote’. Don’t wait to be asked. And it’s not always entirely clear when and if your intervention is guiding the story although, when it works, the moment of suspense while you await the consequences of your actions is thrilling.

For people with any sort of mobility issues, it’s worth knowing that most audience members will be expected to stand all the way through the twenty-five minute experience, though there are two spaces for people in wheelchairs or who need to enjoy (endure) the experience while seated.

If you’re willing to confront the futility of our existence, the ARCADE’s in the front yard at Summerhall.