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Brawl at the Ball, Science World After Dark

I am a big fan of Science World’s After Dark programming. This is when Vancouver’s iconic dome opens up for a late night, adults only session. Typically hosted on the last Thursday of the month.

Not only is there a bar and you have the ability to purchase wine, beer, coolers, and all the non-alcoholic options in between. But you can enjoy them in hand as you explore the entirety of Science World (minus 3 exhibits, where they have a drink check table available). This gives you the ability to drink and play without children in your way. And it means not having to let little ones go ahead of you, or allow them front row seats. You are able to take in the space as is, as a curious adult tinkering with all the toys, pushing all the buttons, and getting interactive with all the displays.

I have visited many times before and have never had a bad experience. And just in time for Halloween weekend, there was an extra special Science World After Dark showing this last Thursday. This is “Brawl at the Ball”, a wrestling themed murder mystery. Combining two things I enjoy into one fun-filled, adrenaline-rush of a night.

My girlfriend and I decided to dress for the occasion, seeing as it was Halloween. We wanted to match the theme, so went as wrestlers. She was her own individual character, who we named “Purple Thunder Wu”. And I did my best Hulk Hogan impression all night. I already had the blonde bob, so only needed to wear red and yellow to play the character.

The doors opened at 6pm and there was already a flood of people lining up to get their bags and tickets checked. There is no coat check so you can dare to leave your possessions unguarded by the entrance on hooks. Drinks are purchased via drink tickets, which you pay for before entering the general space. The entire process above went fairly quick, and guests were already playing with the displays from the wheelchair racing to the high jump, the rotating rock climbing wall, and the dead hang. It is basically a free-for-all, where you are able to choose your pace and engage as how you see fit.

The first show started at 6:30pm, with subsequent performances at 7:30pm and 830pm. It was the same scripted stage show with the ability for people to sit in and watch multiple times, or catch it should they have missed it.

Science World’s central main stage was converted into a wresting ring with ropes and turnbuckles, and folding chairs gathered around its sides.

We were brought into the world of the “SWWE”, Science World Wrestling Entertainment, as a play on “WWE”. The audience played the part of long term and pre-existing fans of the sport. To catch us up on this there were characters bios on rotating display, at any of the broadcasting television screens. These would give us the frame work and what to look into, as the list of suspects for the murder mystery component.

The entire cast did a great job bringing us, the audience, into their world. They were interactive, playing off the rowdy, drink-fuelled energy. The main detective who progressed the story line was especially great at improving with the audience. He did this while maintaining his thick French Canadian accent. As a result, the audience was incredibly engaged chanting for their favourite wrestler, and responding to the theatrical wrestling moves that were presented before them. Whether it was a moan of empathetic pain or a cheer of impressive joy.

We watch the scene unfold where two top wrestlers were fighting for the title belt. There was a little backstory, that included the owner of SWWE, a booking manager, and a SWWE super fan. In the end, the referee was found dead, and it was our job to figure out who did it, how they did it, and why they did it.

In order to do so, we were told to explore the entirety of Science World looking for clues. These were labelled and stuck up all around the dome, encouraging us to engage with the activations as we did so. We found all but one out of the 14 clues, and we did our best to answer the questions above via QR code. We did not stay late enough for the reveal. But there was another QR code that we could scan and watch the mystery unfold on YouTube. It was nice to have, but mind you not the same. Especially seeing as they were additional wrestling stunts performed during the finale. Specifically a body slam into a table.

In short, this was such a great way to enjoy Science World as an adult, to engage in something familiar, but through a whole new lens. We fully enjoyed our unique experience, and I would highly recommend this to anyone in the future.

Science World
455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7
(604) 443-7440
scienceworld.ca

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