Do’s and Dont’s of going through the RIFT Macbeth

How to make it through the RIFT in one piece…

‘Tweetingit – post in 140 characters – Want to survive the RIFT? Just a few tips from someone who (just about) made it out alive

Dos and Don’ts of The Rift – Macbeth

• Do put some effort into your passport. Don’t worry, you are not going to be picked on for writing something interesting, it just makes passport control more fun.
• Do get to know your theatre family. It is a long evening with times where you are left on your own in your flat. If you don’t chat to one another, it is going to be an even longer night and particularly uncomfortable when you bed down together.
• Don’t eat any of the skinny peppers unless you have plenty of water in front of you or are fond of a vindaloo. I was nominated to test them to see if they were hot, the first one was just a sweet red pepper. I dove in, grabbed the green one – which promptly blew my head off.
• Do chat to the cast members when prompted. When you’re in the bar, it is usually a time to relax and natter to your group, the actors in there and you guide. Make the most of it. It really creates a fun atmosphere – a wonderful juxtaposition to the murder and tension you’re about to witness.
• Don’t be uptight. Relax, lose your grasp on reality and have fun. For much of the evening, you are almost a passive participant and so if a witch grabs your hand or you are moved into a room to hide, go with it. I promise, nothing scary is going to happen. If you are one of the few who is led off for one reason or another, it will be for a very short time and you won’t miss a thing. You’ll also not be put in any uncomfortable situations (unless you end up in bed with Lady Macbeth that is) there are no blind folds, no bags on heads and no-one hiding in the cupboards.
• Do take a bottle of water for the night. Unless your RIFT family have finished a glass of wine or other beverage while in your flat and left the glass behind, you’ll struggle to find a receptacle to drink from.
• Don’t forget to go to the loo before you get there. There are no toilets when you arrive and you’ll have to wait until you get to your flat to go. There will also not be many opportunities to smoke. My tip would be to wait until the siege. You will be spending a long time watching the Breaking News on the TV – this is the perfect time to head outside, look at the stunning view across London and have a sneaky fag.
• Do eat something before you go – especially if you don’t like borscht. I was pleasantly surprised by dinner and would now happily have it again (maybe Uri – the border controller – can get me the recipe) If you are a hardcore carnivore or used to a big meal, you will want to take a sneaky snack in your bag for before bed.
• Don’t wear skinny jeans or anything you’ll be uncomfortable sleeping in. Many of my group had been sensible and brought with them some PJ bottoms to change into.
• Do get caffeinated – it’s a long evening and you don’t want to start to wane, miss anything or not enjoy it because you’re too tired.
• Don’t have anything too strenuous planned the following day, you will be tired. You will not be up for mountain climbing or entering the Brain of Britain
• Do be prepared to be cut off from the outside world. I managed to keep hold of my phone (sorry Uri) so I could call home to say I was safe when I went to bed. However, you’re supposed to hand it over to be locked away and they will try to persuade you to do so (so if you want to contact home before bed, take a tablet or other device with WiFi for this purpose.

AND FINALLY

• Do enjoy it. There is nothing like this experience anywhere else and if you are one of those lucky few who have managed to get themselves a ticket, make the most of it. And if you haven’t managed to get a ticket, make sure you do for the next RIFT production.

See the full review here: https://playhousepickings1.wordpress.com/2014/07/06/review-macbeth-rift-secret-location-london/