The Archives

The Strange Secret of Mr. Adrian Rook

virtual special event; opened Aug 2020, closed April 2021

Strange Secret was created in response to the closure of our in-person experiences during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. It opened in previews Sat. 15 August 2020, and ran from 22 August 2020 to 30 April 2021, during which time it was our main or only source of revenue. Nearly every week sold out.

Billed as a "virtual immersive theatre mystery", the show took the format of an online open house at Strange Bird Immersive. Six of the tenants of the various strange businesses in residence met with groups of up to 10 guests in a series of 15-minute Zoom meetings to tell (and show) what they do.

But the organizer of the event, Adrian Rook, Secretary to the Raven Queen, had recently and suddenly gone missing. Guests were asked to keep an eye out for any strange occurrences, as they might be helpful in locating Adrian.

We are pleased to announce Adrian was at last located, and has returned to his duties.

While Strange Bird's focus is in-person experiences, we learned quite a few things about the practice of online immersive theatre during this enforced absence. And we will miss hosting Strange Secret.

As a record of this production, below is the original section of the front page; below that some behind the scenes documentation.

Our most sincere thanks to everyone who came out for a fun evening online. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Special Online Event

The Strange Secret of Mr. Adrian Rook

a virtual immersive theatre mystery

Something isn’t right at Strange Bird Immersive. Our doors are closed, no strangers to greet. And Adrian Rook, secretary to the Raven Queen, has gone missing.

We need you to change the narrative.

You are cordially invited to Strange Bird's virtual Open House. Meet unusual tenants, witness strange events, and help us locate our beloved Mr. Rook.

A 90-minute immersive theatre mystery over Zoom.

Designed for small groups of up to 8.

Book with friends for the best experience.

Get Tickets Now

28 week sold out run — must close April 30!

"Entertaining, exciting, and fresh"

Recommended Theater to Stream

"The most fun I’ve had since March 2020"

"A character-focused take on the Zoom-streamed experience"

"We're still reminiscing the moments we shared"

"One of the more memorable experience I've done since the world's turned upside down."

More info and FAQs ⊞

for
The Strange Secret of Mr. Adrian Rook

What is The Strange Secret of Mr. Adrian Rook?

Strange Secret is a special event worth dressing up for. In this virtual open house, you will visit six of the strange tenants at Strange Bird. You’ll participate in some strange things and pick up clues along the way to help solve the mystery of their missing secretary, Mr. Adrian Rook. You’ll have fun connecting with friends and strangers alike in this unique Zoom immersive theatre production.

We created this show to keep Strange Bird flying when we realized our in-person experiences would remain closed for an extended period of time.

Is this an escape room game?

No. This is an immersive theatre experience: our actors will entertain you and occasionally engage you in activities or questions. There are clues throughout that will culminate in a final mystery for you to uncover.

Are there puzzles?

Not as you may be used to. There are no ciphers, no morse code—nothing that would distract you from your visit with the tenants. There is, however, a mystery to solve, and like a real mystery, you’ll want to pay attention to what clues each tenant gives, and see how the clues piece together at the end.

Is the ticket per person or per device?

We kindly request that you purchase one ticket per guest. This preserves the intimacy of the group and also helps us in our ultimate goal of making rent.

What is the experience like?

Imagine a virtual Open House: your group will visit six different Zoom rooms, each with a different tenant. You will rotate between rooms every 15 minutes. A webpage will guide you through the rooms.

Why should I experience it with friends?

This show is designed to connect us again—with strangers, with friends. There are some intimate questions and fun engagements, all of which are made richer with friends.

Do I have to participate?

Not at all! You can turn off your video and mic, sit back and just watch. Interacting with the actors is voluntary. But we'd love to see you.

I haven’t played The Man From Beyond yet. Can I attend this show without spoilers?

Certainly. This experience tells the story of Strange Bird Immersive and features no spoilers for The Man From Beyond.

Can I share a device with another guest?

You may choose to share a device if you wish, but please set your Zoom name to represent everyone on screen so that we may address everyone by name.

I have a group bigger than 8 people, can I add more?

Certainly. Contact us at [email protected].

What device should I use?

We recommend a desktop or laptop, to make it easier to navigate between Zoom meetings. Tablets and iPads can also work, but we discourage phones.

What if I experience technical difficulties?

If internet gremlins should strike before or during your show, contact us at [email protected], and we will do what we can to make it right.

May I book without knowing all my participants yet?

Yes. Please put "TBD" for the name and your email address. When you do know who will be attending, please [email protected] that information.

Help keep Strange Bird flying. Book your tickets now.

Book Tickets Now

Tickets per person, please
Runtime: 90 minutes
Optional light interaction, with a puzzle to solve as a group at the end