REVIEW: Sanctum of Shadows - Successful Immersive Human Life Experience

Sanctum of Shadows is an immersive physical theatre experience that examines human morality and personal agency. Presented collaboratively by Nexuss Dance and Shh Theatre, co-created by choreographer Hui-Hsin Lu and director Jingwen Lu. Through six vividly drawn characters, the piece revolves around the death of Evelyn, whose murder becomes the catalyst for audience reflection on truth, faith, sin and redemption, manipulation, and the complexity of destiny.

Inside a church setting, all six characters share intricate, often hidden connections with the deceased girl, Evelyn. What truly happened to her? With this question in mind, dons a mask, and the story begins.

The venue choice is spot-on. Two floors are transformed into a church, every corner carefully curated—from the cloakroom to the altar, canvases, cameras, notebooks—each space offering clues tied to specific characters. Many clues are intentionally incomplete, inviting discovery when the characters are absent.

Each audience member can choose characters to “follow” freely. Tracking the story through the eyes of an abandoned kid, her anxiety and fear are palpable. Visible in her drawings, and in her guarded reactions whenever anyone, whether fellow audience or performer, approaches her. Throughout the performance, interplay is constant: between characters themselves, and between characters and the audience. The work is most rewarding when you commit to one perspective, piecing together the mystery detail by detail.

The dance members are both talented and professional. Their ability to convey emotion through body language, maintain focus in a complex setting, and sustain seamless choreographic transitions is undoubtedly one of the key forces behind the production’s success. Sound design shapes both space and mood, with the score’s quality shining despite venue limitations.

Sanctum of Shadows addresses humanity, connection, and faith in an unusually fresh way. When a character exits for the final time, one question hangs in the air: can anyone still be saved? With finely crafted props, skilful dance performances, and thoughtfully measured audience interaction, the production achieves genuine immersion. If there is one regret, it’s simply this: I wish I could experience it again.

★★★★★

For more information, please visit: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sanctum-of-shadows

Credits

Director & Producer: Jingwen Lu
Artistic Director & Choreographer: Hui-Hsin Lu
Executive Producer: Tianhui Fu
Set Designer: Qianyu Chen
Prop Designer: Yifei Deng
Costume Designer & Maker: Hanxin Zhang
Dramaturg: Thea Mut
Sound Effects Designer: Yuxin Liu
Sound Designer: Chia Shan Tsai

Cast: Jie Zhou, Yueting Liu, Karina Xuehan Jiang, Ruiying Bai, Keer Xiang, Wendie Hou

©️Poster designed by Tianbo Yang