instructions and txt.work, at Trades Hall, as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival - each show runs for one hour

Vive la difference.

Award-winning UK theatre collective SUBJECT OBJECT and Nathan Ellis, who is behind the concept and the text of two immersive, interactive shows, don’t run with the pack.

In instructions, they call upon a different unrehearsed actor each time over 10 shows to follow their directive, as the actor auditions for a role in a film.

In other words, the trained performers are put on the spot in a real test of their instincts and prowess.

The night I saw it, John Marc Desengano was in the hot seat and he was brilliant.

A monitor in front of him provided cues about what to say and do.

What unfolds does so in three chapters and an epilogue over an hour.

In the first instance, it is about adopting different expressions to reflect different moods.

The scene we concentrate on is a truth telling exercise, in which John Marc on the Eiffel Tower expresses his true feelings for the love of his life.

To step it up a notch, the director wants him to deliver his lines with a varied tone.

While John Marc nails the role and secures the part, what follows is unexpected, as he suddenly appears to be persona non grata.

There is no contact from the director or his agent. John Marc is confused … distressed. He can’t figure out why or just what is going on.

But wait. There is more. To find out what, you will just have to buy a ticket to see instructions.

John Marc is a fine example of what it takes to become a convincing actor.

He wholeheartedly buys into the concept, giving it his all and we are the beneficiaries of that.

To get more information, go to https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/events/instructions

work.txt takes us on a wild ride through a working day, as seen through the lens of those who reluctantly, or otherwise, need to make a living.

The script, involving the audience delivering lines and following instructions, is telemated onto a large screen.

One, several or all of us read aloud what is on the screen and it is often hilarious.

I assure you the crowd is really into it. The enthusiasm is apparent from the get go.

The high point comes when a volunteer, in our case a man named Bailey, subverts expectation and the storyline continues around him.

In short, he literally lies down on the job, after which he becomes the focus.

Early on, each of us takes to the stage, where there is a pile of yellow coloured wooden Jenga blocks, to position them where we would like. Creativity knows no bounds.

work.txt is hour-long artistic fun with plenty of twists.

To find out more, go to https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/events/worktxt

Both instructions and work.txt finish on 12^th October.

The Melbourne Fringe Festival is on until 19^th October, 2025. For the full program, go online to https://www.melbournefringe.com.au