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Lost in the Hollow has easily been one of my favourite Fringe shows so far, and one of the most genuinely fun experiences I have had this season.
From the moment you enter, there is a sense that you do not quite know what you have signed up for. That uncertainty is part of the magic.
This is not a show you sit and watch.
It is a 70-minute immersive puzzle-hunt that feels like stepping inside a full-sized board game, where riddles, tasks, secrets and time pressure all collide.
The closest comparison I can make is Taskmaster in real life.
You are guided (and occasionally misled) by a cast of strange and compelling characters, including Nofu and the Crow, as you scramble to uncover objects, solve riddles, and work out how on earth you are meant to win. The space itself feels like a warehouse-meets-art-room labyrinth, dark and atmospheric, filled with hidden clues and details that reward curiosity.
What makes Lost in the Hollow truly special is how the audience becomes the performance.
With around 30 people in the room, the experience is tight, squishy, and surprisingly intimate. You cannot fade into the background even if you want to. You find yourself talking to strangers, teaming up, splitting off, negotiating, and occasionally panicking together as the clock ticks down.
Watching the group dynamic evolve was fascinating. Some people naturally stepped into leadership roles, issuing instructions and organising chaos. Others were happy browsing, observing, and making discoveries at their own pace. Everyone contributed in their own way, and by the end, the room felt like a strange but unified team.
The tone is dark, spooky, and mysterious without tipping into genuinely frightening. Think eerie bird calls, low lighting, and a sense of mischief rather than horror.
Cheating is not only encouraged, it is part of the fun, adding to the playful, rule-bending energy of the game.
This is genuinely a not-to-be-missed immersive experience, but it is important to know what you are walking into.
If you prefer to sit back and observe, this may not be the right fit. Lost in the Hollow asks you to participate, to think, and to engage. If you enjoy being challenged, solving puzzles, and working towards a clear goal under time pressure, this experience is absolutely for you.
This is an experience rather than a performance, and it delivers completely.
Lost in the Hollow is clever, chaotic, immersive, and wildly entertaining. Each year brings a new instalment, and after this one, I will absolutely be back next year. It has firmly earned a place on my must-see Fringe list and comes highly recommended.