5 April 2026
Prepare to step into a reallife video game as you board Lander 23, where you aren’t just a spectator, you are the protagonist. In this high-stakes safety mission, your objective is simple yet daunting: launch, search, and survive. This latest production from the immersive masters at Punchdrunk transports you from the heart of London to the rugged, unpredictable terrain of an alien planet. Known for the masked mystery of The Burnt City and the sensory deprivation of Viola’s Room, Punchdrunk continues to expertly blur the lines between reality and fiction, proving once again why they are leaders in out-of-this-world productions.
Over the course of a 90 minute experience, teams of four must navigate dangerous and unknown spaces to secure vital energy sources. The mission is split into two distinct roles that require seamless cooperation. The Field Agent is physically on the ground, navigating the alien environment to locate objectives, while the Driver remains based at Spaceship HQ to manage communications and guide the mission from behind the scenes. Because you get the opportunity to play both roles during your time, success depends entirely on your ability to work hand-in-hand with your teammates to bridge the gap between the field and command.
If you are ready to test your survival instincts, tickets for Lander 23 start from £41.25 each. Since the experience relies so heavily on partnership, tickets are primarily sold in pairs, so you will want to grab a friend to join your crew. While single tickets may occasionally become available closer to the performance time, it is highly recommended that you reach out to the venue directly to check for individual spots. It is a rare chance to experience a distant galaxy without ever leaving central London.
Your journey begins in Woolwich, just a few minutes’ walk from the Elizabeth Line. Upon arrival, a cloakroom is available to store your belongings before you head into the bar. Offering a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, the bar serves as a perfect staging area to gather your nerves. When your session is called, you are ushered into a pre-waiting room featuring a clever, cartoon-style rulebook. It’s a fun, creative way to digest the basics of the mission before the complexities of the game are explained in full, ensuring everyone starts on the same page.
The immersion truly takes hold as you are guided into the official waiting room for a short pre-show. Here, you are suited up in tactical gear and must make your first big decision: choosing between the role of Field Agent or Driver. Even though roles swap halfway through, the palpable tension in the room makes the choice feel momentous. The atmosphere is thick with suspense, making you feel less like a tourist and more like a recruit on a high-stakes mission. This culminates in a dramatic walk as a team toward the spaceship, which serves as your base of operations for half of the experience.
The adrenaline peaks the moment you step out as a Field Agent. Tasked with exploring the alien planet to retrieve energy sources, you quickly realize you aren’t alone. Guards patrol the terrain, protecting the energy with high vigilance; if they spot you, the mission becomes significantly more difficult. With a “three strikes and you’re out” rule for being caught, the stakes are genuine. Survival depends entirely on your teammates back on the spaceship, who act as your eyes and ears, guiding you through the terrain and helping you bypass patrols. It is a thrilling test of trust and communication that perfectly blends the physical and the digital.
Venturing out as a Field Agent is a pulse-pounding start to the mission; you are immediately thrust into the unknown and placed in direct danger. The gameplay feels like a high-stakes, giant game of hide-and-seek, utilizing various hiding spots, including white tents, to evade the guards. While the set design carries the spectacular detail Punchdrunk is famous for, it feels somewhat familiar to their previous works. Though the craftsmanship is undeniable, the aesthetic at times feels like a slight departure from what one might expect of a remote, alien planet.
Back on the spaceship, the experience shifts into a high-intensity command role. With an array of buttons and monitors to manage, this is easily the more stressful of the two positions. You are tasked with tracking your teammates and the guards, while simultaneously tackling side missions and reaction-speed tests to “bank” the energy your team discovers. While the side missions could benefit from a clearer explanation, as we only truly grasped the mechanics as our time was winding down, the sheer amount of tactile interaction keeps the experience incredibly immersive and engaging. It is worth noting that the technology works flawlessly, with minimal glitches or issues and the one issue I had, was resolved in a small break and I wouldn’t known if they didn’t advise me.
Ultimately, Lander 23 successfully places you inside a living thriller. The progression from boarding the ship to exploring the terrain feels remarkably like a real-life video game. The addition of the guards provides a genuine sense of peril, and the limited life system ensures you take every move seriously. Our only real gripe was that the 90 minutes flew by; we would have loved another round in each role to fully utilize our newfound skills. However, the depth of the game means there is plenty of replay value for those looking to return and improve their score.
A huge thank you to the team at Punchdrunk for inviting us to experience Lander 23. While filming is not permitted inside to protect the secrets of the mission, it is truly something that must be experienced in person. For fans of immersive theatre, gaming enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a unique challenge, this is a must-visit. It is a bold, mechanical adventure unlike anything else currently playing in London.
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