We speak to Incantrix Productions about their latest experience inspired by Game of Thrones

Incantrix Productions is a Boston-based company that specializes in combining narrative storytelling with game elements. Their experiences are “part interactive theater, part escape room, part live-action game” and span the spectrum, from faerie masquerades to steampunk pub crawls to dark carnivals.

We caught up with Chief Executive Officer Athena Z. Peters and Chief Creative Officer Caroline Murphy over email as they prepare their latest interactive experience, Crown Me.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

No Proscenium (NP): For someone who isn’t familiar with your company, could you tell us a little about Incantrix Productions?

Incantrix Productions (IP): Incantrix Productions is a theatrical events company based in the Greater Boston area. We exist at the intersection of games and theatre and create fully immersive and interactive events. Many of our events are often one-night only exclusives. We strive to engage guests in quests, challenges and puzzles they can solve to get deeper into the experience. We enjoy utilizing immersive spaces like historical museums, homes, or thematic bars/restaurants where we can include food and drink.

At Incantrix, we invite you to join us in our world and cast a spell with us. The outcome of the evening is in your hands.

NP: In a nutshell, what is Crown Me and how did the project come about?

IP: Crown Me is a political intrigue game in which seven nobles are vying for control of a fictional medieval realm as their Queen is dying. Guests can play as one of the seven nobles or as more minor courtier characters who work for and support the nobles with their own unique abilities.

This project came about as we started to think of potential experiences we could create that could be repeatable and even more in the hands of our guests/ players than our usual “meta” games. Our “Incantrix Universe” games include our Faerie Masquerade events, Steampunk Pub Crawl events, and Dark Carnival events; these have a continuous and interwoven storyline that is affected by the choices of our attendees each time, and as such, is constantly evolving and never truly repeatable.

In an effort to create games that could be repeated without upsetting continuity, we started creating “pocket universe” games. Crown Me is one such game. We were inspired by White Wolf’s game, Long Live the King (now owned by Nocturnal). We developed a generic fantasy setting in which there was more flexibility for gender roles and theatricality. At a time when Game of Thrones is at such a height of popularity, it’s fun to have a game that allows audiences to get immersed in political conniving and scheming.

NP: How do you plan to bring this world of medieval intrigue to life?

IP: When guests arrive, we greet them in-character. Similarly, when guests leave, we say farewell to them in-character. This gives our guests the sensation that they have left their normal lives behind and truly stepped into a living, breathing immersive world.

At Crown Me, guests will be greeted by a door-person who will give them the run-down of information that they need to know. Then, they will be formally announced into our palace. Next, guest will sit down to a four-course plated meal fit for a Queen, served in the dining room. The Ballroom will be set with a throne and chairs for holding council, and a dance instructor will be present to provide music and entertainment. Libations will flow from a cash bar in the Gun Room and the Music Room will be set aside as a “dungeon” for those who displease the Queen.

In all of these rooms our guests will wheel and deal with one another passing notes filled with intrigue, coins for bribes and followers who follow the whims of those with the power to maintain their Loyalty. The action will take place over the course of seven rounds or “acts” that include audiences, council sessions and dinner courses.

At the end of the seventh round or “act” it will become known who has played the game well enough to rule the realm and “win” the game.

NP: Can you tell us a little bit about your venue as well as the optional overnight component?

IP: The MIT Endicott House is a stunning turn of the century estate built on 30 acres of landscaped grounds just a 30 minute drive out of Boston. It was donated to MIT by the family that built it and still maintains many of the original features. It is now run as an event and conference center as well as a Bed and Breakfast for event guests and alumni. There are 13 rooms in the original house that are all unique and filled with antiques and charm. Plus an additional newer building just down the hill houses another 20 more standard Queen bed hotel rooms.

An overnight stay includes a catered breakfast in the main homes dining room the next morning creating a wonderful retreat experience.

NP: How is the audience participating in the experience and how are you designing around audience agency, consent, and safety?

IP: The audience in this event is actively a part of the story and the game. Nobles are the “main” characters and Courtiers are minor roles and can choose their level of engagement. There are only four actors in this show, the Queen, her Chamberlain, a Valet, plus a Royal Dance Instructor! The only role of those actors is to guide audience engagement. Thus, this show is fully participatory.

Regarding safety and consent; along with instructions on how to participate in the event going out a week ahead of time via email, guests are instructed on our emotional safety rules and gestures, code of conduct (including safe space and anti-harassment) policies, and instructions on how to identify our staff and speak with them in the case of encountering any issues. Guests are never touched or lead into isolated areas alone.

NP: Who is the ideal audience member for this show?

IP: Someone who enjoys shows like The Tudors, Reign, or Game of Thrones who has often wanted to see how they would fare if dropped into one of these opulent but dangerous courts for a night.

NP: What do you hope participants take away from the experience?

IP: We hope that our guests will get a chance to feel what it is like to be a Noble, Prince, or Princess for the night. To feel powerful, sneaky, crafty, or any other fun ways of being, as their character might take them. Plus, it’s fun to dress up!

We hope that our guests can escape from the mundane for a night and cast a spell with us.

Crown Me will take place November 17 at the MIT Endicott House. Tickets are $100.

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