The Virtual Stage Brings an All-New Mission to Defeat Zombies on the Streets of Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 26, 2013) - Book a mission and become a Secret Agent this Halloween Season in The Zombie Syndrome: On Death Island, a brand new show written and directed by award-winning theatre artist Andy Thompson. The show recruits audience members on an interactive, smartphone-enabled, thrill seeking adventure at a secret location in Vancouver, BC, from October 1^st to November 3^rd. Heed the call made in this recent public service announcement from Sgt. Benjamin Allan of the Department of National Defence requesting the public's assistance in locating evil genius and wanted terrorist Sgt. William Sullivan. Sullivan's public service announcement last year explained how a deadly virus "reanimates" the dead. This was then followed by a rare classified video of Sullivan that was inadvertently leaked by the Department of National Defence on Friday, September 13, 2013. The DND is calling on the public's help to save the world this fall on a new mission to catch Sullivan before the deadly Zombie Syndrome virus destroys mankind.

The exact starting point of this year's all-new show remains undisclosed until the day before their appointed meeting, when the audience receives a phone call with instructions on where to meet (somewhere in central Vancouver). Once they are assembled at the top-secret rendezvous point with other members from the team of Special Agents (You!), the group is taken on a very public and unique theatre adventure. Attendees are encouraged to wear walking shoes, dress for the weather and be prepared to move. As the stars of the show, the audience travels from site to site, gathers clues from sudden allies, and faces challenges they must overcome in order to proceed to the next scene. You'll never know what's coming next on this exhilarating tour where zombies could be looming around any corner! During last year's production of The Zombie Syndrome, group after group of sold out audiences worked together to save the world and elude zombies and the show went on to garner two Jessie Award nominations: 'Significant Artistic Achievement' for 'Logistical & Technical Innovation' and the 'Critics' Choice Innovation Award'.

"I am tremendously excited to build upon the huge success of last year's Zombie Syndrome event with this completely new piece, The Zombie Syndrome: On Death Island," says Andy Thompson, The Virtual Stage's Artistic Director and Writer/Director of The Zombie Syndrome. "Last year's show was the first of its kind, and we learned a great deal from audiences about what they loved, and what they wanted more (and less) of. We have listened! Everything that was 'cool' about last year's show will happen again within an all-new story and new adventure: The audience will go on an epic quest, and they will need to use their smartphones and their wits to navigate obstacles and evade zombies while saving the world." Thompson continues, "This year we will have more zombies and less distance between the sites in new, exciting locations," adds Thompson. "Even though the story will be continued from last year, it will be a 'stand alone' piece, for the enjoyment of newcomers and returning audiences alike. It's guaranteed to be an exciting adventure!"

This highly interactive theatrical scavenger-hunt features technical elements requiring each audience group to use their smartphones to navigate through the show and find clues leading to the secret hiding place of Sgt. Sullivan. Only one smartphone per audience group is required. For any questions about the production and what to expect visit The Virtual Stage's FAQ section.

The cast and crew of this production will feature Studio 58 graduates Raphael Kepinski as Sgt. William Sullivan, Dustin Freeland as Sgt. Benjamin Allan and Jay Clift as Peter Mosenski. Returning to lead the makeup team for the Zombie visual effects is acclaimed makeup artist Elizabeth McLeod. For more information, updates and declassified information regarding your mission, like The Zombie Syndrome: On Death Island on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheZombieSyndrome.
Tickets prices start from $25 (plus service charges) and can be purchased online only here! Shows run Tuesdays through Sundays with shows at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. Previews for the Zombie Syndrome are October 1 and 2 with tickets available for $12.50. Opening Night is October 3. All tickets can be purchased online at www.thevirtualstage.org/tickets/.

About The Virtual Stage: Founded in the year 2000, The Virtual Stage is a Vancouver-based theatre company with a unique mandate to investigate emerging technologies in theatre. In its thirteen years, The Virtual Stage has produced three short films, four short one-act plays and eight mainstage productions. The company has toured North America and garnered twenty-three Jessie nominations, winning six. Recent productions include Broken Sex Doll (seven Jessie Award nominations, with wins for 'Outstanding Original Composition' and 'Outstanding Costume Design'), The Zombie Syndrome, No Exit (co-produced with Electric Company Theatre; eight Jessie Award nominations, with wins for 'Outstanding Production' and 'Critics' Choice Innovation') and the sold out hit 1984 at The Cultch. Like The Virtual Stage on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheVirtualStage, and follow us on Twitter @TheVirtualStage.