We sat down for an exclusive interview with Elliot, the co-creator and Dungeon Master for the show It’s Your Role. An improvised theatre show based around Dungeon & Dragons it aims to get more people involved in collaborative storytelling and shared experiences. It’s Your Role plays at the Canada Water Theatre on 10th May. Tickets here.
What inspired you to blend live theatre with Dungeons & Dragons in It’s Your Role?
D&D is naturally theatrical – actors love it! It only felt right to meld the two together. I’ve been playing tabletop roleplaying games for years, and I’m still amazed by how deeply people commit to the drama of a story that’s created entirely through voice and imagination.
At It’s Your Role, we’re big advocates of social connection. We wanted both newcomers and seasoned players to come together and share in the joy of improvising a story where everyone has a say.
How do you select and prepare the audience member who joins the cast each night?
Not much prep at all – it’s totally random! When the audience arrives, there’s a sign-up board with about 15 slots for anyone keen to jump onstage. Once the show kicks off, we roll some massive inflatable dice. Each side corresponds to a number on the list, and that decides our guest adventurer!
Once selected, they hop onstage, we mic them up, have a little chat (definitely not to check sound levels), and then we dive straight into the story.
What strategies do you use to ensure the show remains accessible to newcomers unfamiliar with D&D?
We really wanted the show to be as welcoming as possible. Every chair has a QR code linking to a super simple “D&D 101” document we created. Audiences can scan it anytime to keep up with what’s going on.
If someone new to the game ends up onstage, we’ve got a simplified character sheet and rule guide they can use. Plus, the cast is always ready to lend a hand. Ultimately, we just want everyone to feel like a cool adventurer having fun.
What challenges have you faced in maintaining narrative coherence with the unpredictable nature of audience participation?
Oh, the audience can absolutely derail things – in the best way! They name characters, and they can change the course of the story using a magical honking instrument. It’s on us, as actors and improvisers, to take those offers and turn them into gold.
One of the joys of improv is calling back to wild moments later in the show. The audience loves it when chaos becomes canon. I remember once a character was trying to flee a crumbling building when someone honked—and instead of escaping, they made tea and crumpets in a kitchenette. That moment brought the house down.
What does it mean to you to be part of the Peckham Fringe, and how does performing It’s Your Role in this context enhance or shift the experience?
We’re thrilled to be part of the Peckham Fringe! The Canada Water Theatre is a stunning venue, and we’ve got a few surprises in store. The space is bigger, so we’re stepping up our game—the set’s more immersive, and we’ve got new tech helping us draw the audience deeper into the story.
It’s also a chance to bring It’s Your Role to new people. Role-playing games have such broad appeal, and we’re excited to share the adventure with an even wider crowd.
It’s Your Role plays at the Canada Water Theatre on 10th May. Tickets here