THE DOOR IN QUESTION returns to Melbourne
Australia’s trailblazing virtual reality immersive theatre experience, THE DOOR IN QUESTION, is poised to make a highly anticipated return to Melbourne this May, promising ticket-holders a singular descent into altered perception. This groundbreaking production forms part of the SLEEPLESS FOOTSCRAY FESTIVAL and transforms everyday locations into portals of adventure, curiosity, and discovery. By guiding small groups of participants through an abandoned shopping centre and into various sites scattered around Footscray, the show blends cutting-edge immersive theatre with cross reality (XR) technology in an unforgettable encounter that seeks to portray the complexities of psychosis.
At its core, THE DOOR IN QUESTION tackles a subject that remains largely misunderstood: the lived experience of mental illness. Producer Troy Rainbow, who conceived and developed the show, drew inspiration from his own life, particularly the pivotal influence of his mother’s schizophrenia. “We’re exploring how love and connection can manifest within a very fragmented state,” Rainbow has explained, referencing the disjointed narrative threads derived from childhood memories and family mementos. A host of remarkable personal artefacts—birthday cards, letters, even a short story penned by Rainbow’s mother—provide the emotional and thematic framework for the performance.
Rather than relegating these reflections to a strictly clinical setting, the show reveals the fierce human spirit behind them. Employing virtual reality headsets, interactive AI, and tactile theatrical elements, THE DOOR IN QUESTION allows audiences to see how truth and delusion can intertwine for individuals experiencing psychosis. In many scenes, viewers are presented with different versions of the same story, demonstrating how personal experiences or hallucinations can coexist alongside external reality. The aim is to provoke both empathy and understanding—participants are gently encouraged to witness how a single environment might be perceived in multiple, sometimes conflicting ways.
Developed in collaboration with esteemed institutions such as UNSW, RMIT, the Australian Council for the Arts, Creative Victoria, and the Councils of Melbourne and Stonnington, THE DOOR IN QUESTION carries the weight of thorough research behind it. Although it was crafted in consultation with clinical psychologists, the creative team insists it is not meant to be a laboratory or therapeutic experience. Instead, it is an immersive journey into unfamiliar territory: the shifting landscapes of the human mind under strain.
At the same time, the production revels in theatrical spectacle. Audience members navigate through carefully choreographed spaces that blend digital illusions with physical stagecraft, encouraging them to surrender to a narrative that, at times, challenges the very concept of what is ‘real.’ The show’s creators hope that this sense of wonder—alongside moments of genuine disorientation—sparks conversations about mental health, stigma, and our collective responsibility to better understand those living in differently ordered worlds.
Running from 8 to 18 May as part of Sleepless Festival, THE DOOR IN QUESTION marks a key highlight in a larger program that will illuminate Melbourne’s inner west with music, performance, art, and large-scale installations. For festival-goers, it’s a rare opportunity to take part in an experience at the forefront of XR entertainment—a production that not only entertains but expands perspectives on how we perceive reality and the varied human experiences hidden behind the façade of everyday life.
In the end, what sets THE DOOR IN QUESTION apart is its willingness to tackle an often-taboo subject with empathy, artistry, and yes, a bit of technological flair. It’s an invitation to step beyond the boundaries of conventional theatre, to question your own preconceptions, and to discover just how many truths can exist behind one seemingly ordinary door.
Where: 47 Paisley St, Footscray
When: 8 to 18 May
Tickets: Click Here
