Earthquakes in London: relationships between performers and audience

Earthquakes in London employs several techniques of Brechtian epic theatre, which serves to constantly remind the audience they are witnessing a staged performance, rather than a continuous, unbroken illusion.
These techniques include direct address, descriptive scene titles displayed on screens and extensive use of multi-rolling by the performers. These keep audiences aware of the artifice of theatre while questioning societal norms.

The play is deeply immersive in nature, with action often taking place amidst the audience. This immersive dimension can blur boundaries and foster a sense of shared experience.
Large scale set pieces, like the on-stage flooding and bringing in a real tree into the auditorium, challenge traditional separation between performers and audience space. This 360-degree approach brings the audience into the world of the play.

Music plays a fundamental part in connecting the performers with the audience. Live music effectively sets the mood, conveys emotion and further blurs the line between performers and audience.
Audience members, like characters in the play, respond to the same auditory stimuli manipulating them towards a shared emotional experience.

Characters often interact directly with audience members through dialogue or actions. This direct interaction establishes an active relationship, demanding audience engagement and attention.
Breaking the fourth wall invites the audience into the narrative, making spectators not just passive viewers, but participants in the dramatic action.

Spatial awareness and arrangement play a crucial role in the relationship between performers and spectators. The performers often traverse the auditorium, turning it into part of the stage.
This transgression of usual theatrical space prompts audience members to reflect on their position in relation to the unfolding action and the issues it raises.