Art Heist

Overview

Already made your way out of a serial killer's lair in Sydney? Panic not, a brand new escape room-style adventure is about to land in Sydney. And, instead of trapping you within four walls, it challenges you to get into a room, steal a piece of art and get out with it.

Art Heist is the latest project of the Jetpack Theatre Collective, who specialise in out-of-the-box theatrical experiences. Before now, they've managed to chase their audiences through mazes, row them across lakes and transform them into a herd of stampeding rhinos.

For Art Heist, Jetpack has built Wade Gallery, a fictional art space in Dulwich Hill. Inside lies a masterpiece titled The Fat Dragon, which is coveted by Adrian Bailey, an unknown benefactor. Acting as one of his thieves, you'll have 45 minutes to steal it for him.

Along the way, you'll be deciphering clues, getting around guards, avoiding alarms and squeezing through air vents. The guards aren't just statues or robots, but actual actors, who'll be responding in real time to your moves — that's part of what what sets Art Heist apart from established escape rooms.

"With a stressful political climate and incredibly fast-paced news and social media cycle, it can be invigorating to lose yourself in pretending to be somewhere and someone else," said Jim Fishwick, director of Art Heist. "And when culture is now so available on a phone, what does it really mean to go to a theatre or go to a gallery? It's the social connection with the people you're with and the presence of the art around you."

Art Heist is at 404 New Canterbury Road, Dulwich Hill, from 1 June–30 July. It runs on Thursday and Friday, 5.30–8.30pm, and on Saturday and Sunday, 1.30–8.30pm. New sessions start each hour.