Prepare to be terrified at Hidden, a roaming play at UBC Botanical Garden

You’re deep in the forest, in utter darkness, except for the dull glow of your flashlight. You thought you were all alone in the wilderness, but suddenly, in the distance, you see three people arguing. They’re young, gesturing wildly as they scream at one another. A menacing figure lurks in the bushes behind them. You get a sick feeling in your stomach that bloodshed awaits.

No, this isn’t the latest horror, slasher flick. It’s the newest site-specific play by Vancouver’s ITSAZOO Productions, which specializes in highly immersive, dynamic theatre. If you’re looking for a fun and original date idea, you should definitely check out this performance.

From October 22 to November 13, 2016 (held over until November 19 due to popularity), ITSAZOO Productions will be presenting Hidden, a play based on fictional events written by Sebastien Archibald and co-produced with Chelsea Haberlin. It features a cast of six Vancouver actors and takes place in the grounds of UBC Botanical Garden (6804 SW Marine Drive).

Your adventure begins at the Wolf and Hound (3617 West Broadway) where your 13-person “Lost Lovers Murder Tour” group will meet. From there, you’ll board a van and set off for the woods. As you travel down a dark, deserted path (Old Marine Drive) into the unknown, your tour guide will share with you the details of a murder that occurred in this very forest two decades ago. A ghost related to this murder is purported to wander the woods, scaring unsuspecting hikers.

Your “tour” will take you along UBC Botanical Garden’s spectacular Greenheart TreeWalk, a 310 metre walkway that hangs from grand firs, cedars, and Douglas firs and reaches a height of 20 metres from the forest floor (it’s also awesome to visit during daylight). From this vantage point, you’ll see a chilling reenactment unfold below of the final hours of three university students.

The performance consists of different scenes that you’ll watch from the TreeWalk’s 9 platforms, as well as on the ground. Terrifyingly, your safe distance from the action will disappear as reenactment and reality start to blur. The whole show culminates in murder galore and a dramatic revelation.

Co-producer Haberlin says that their intent was to play with the audience’s desire for voyeurism, taking pleasure in others’ distress, which horror films invoke.

They also wanted to remove the security of this voyeurism through a forest performance space that gets the audience fully immersed in the murder setting. She and co-producer Archibald spent countless hours watching movies, such as Halloween and Friday the 13th, and determined that people are most scared by the woods as well as unknown killers.

As an audience member, you’ll be provided with a flashlight on a lanyard that you can wear as you walk along the TreeWalk and through the forest. Actors will also be carrying flashlights to illuminate the otherwise darkened scenes.

Haberlin says the show is for you if you’re up for being really scared in the dark up high. The show does contain graphic violence and coarse language, and is thus not suitable for those under the age of 16. You should also be comfortable walking in the dark with minimal light, and not have a fear of heights or the dark.

The show will take place, rain or shine, so please dress appropriately. Haberlin says clothing that would be suitable for a chilly, rainy hike would be the best bet (in other words, no stilettos).

ITSAZOO has also partnered with UBC’s AMS Safewalk in order to raise awareness about safety and walking alone.

Tickets are available through ITSAZOO or Brown Paper Tickets. Tickets for shows until November 13 are already sold out, but tickets are available for the holdover dates (November 15-November 19).