GREAT GOLD BIRD
A wanderplay by Twin Alchemy
what lengths would you go to for someone you love?
Great Gold Bird is a narrative-focused “wander play” inspired by immersive theatre, alternate reality games, and escape rooms. Henry Combs is missing, and he wants to be found. He's left a trail of clues in his personal ephemera for you to follow. As you sort through the contents of his life, you discover a personal history of love and grief that takes you to multiple locations across Los Angeles and planes of existence.
“Great Gold Bird instantly had its hooks in me...tugging at our hearts even as it becomes more mystical — its themes ricocheting among grief, science fiction and spiritualism. Twice it brought me to tears, its script feeling at once deeply personal yet universal for anyone who has survived a significant loss. And yet it possesses an underlying narrative drive, a pull to discover its secrets that transcends any sense of sadness."
FAQ
IS THIS AN ESCAPE ROOM?
Great Gold Bird is NOT an escape room, though it does have some light puzzle elements. Think of it like being immersed in a real-life exploration video game but in “story mode.” You will enjoy this experience most if you are living in and absorbing the story, rather than racing through it or looking at everything as a potential puzzle to be solved.
OK, BUT WHAT IS IT THOUGH?
Great Gold Bird is an immersive, site-specific, "wanderplay" that puts you in the center of an emotional mystery. You will explore digital and physical spaces in Los Angeles to uncover the mystery of what happened to Henry Combs. It takes about 2 hours to complete (not including drive time). Think of it like a narrative-driven, interactive scavenger hunt that asks you to engage with the story primarily on an emotional level. Aside from the booking time you sign up for, the experience is self-guided and paced to you/your group.
Recommended for fans of immersive theatre, interactive art, first-person exploration video games (i.e. Gone Home, Firewatch, What Remains of Edith Finch), larp, alternate reality games, and escape rooms.
CRITICAL LOGISTICAL INFORMATION
Great Gold Bird takes approximately 2 hours to complete, not including drive time. Before your reservation time (the time of the ticket you purchase), there is an online portion that will take, on average, 30-40 minutes to complete. It’s important that you have a way to access the internet, as well as time to experience the online portion at least an hour prior to when you will depart for your reservation. The reservation location is in the Arlington Heights area of Los Angeles (exact address revealed in the online portion).
In addition to your reservation time, you will need transportation to a second location 12 miles away (address later revealed). The experience does NOT need to be completed on the same day. However, please plan accordingly if you or your party are visiting/traveling. If you book a reservation time after 8pm, please note that you will have to complete the final part of the experience on another day at your own leisure. There is no downside to spreading the experience out over several days, just please plan accordingly.
Shortly after purchasing a ticket, you will receive an email from someone named Emily Combs. Check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox and THEN send the email back to your inbox before opening it so that the hyperlinks aren't disabled. This is how you begin your experience.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN ATTEND?
The ideal (and strongly recommended) number of people for this experience is 1-2 people but can accommodate up to 3 people.
HOW MUCH DOES GREAT GOLD BIRD COST?
This experience starts at $120 for a group of 1-3 people and goes up to $150 for a few “prime time” spots (7:15p on Fridays and 5:30/7:30p on Saturdays). 1-2 people is the ideal number of people for this experience. Please note there is a minimum booking fee of $120, regardless of whether your party size is 1, 2, or 3 people. You are welcome to split the cost with your group, bringing the total down to $40-75 pp.
I’M NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING. CAN I STILL BOOK?
Yep! We can add and subtract participants once you arrive at the location, so no need to finalize your group count until you arrive. We can also work out taking additional payment or refunding you then. That said, your arrival time is 15 minutes before the start of your experience so we have time to do all that.
DOES EVERY GROUP GET THE EXPERIENCE TO THEMSELVES, OR WILL WE BE PLACED WITH STRANGERS?
You always get the experience all to yourself/your group.
HOW EARLY SHOULD I ARRIVE?
You must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your booking time to provide ample time to sign waivers and use the restroom. Even if you arrive right at the time of your booking, you may lose some of your time in the room. Sorry we have to be strict about this, but we need to ensure our employees have adequate time for resetting rooms and taking their lunches and breaks.
WHAT IF I HAVE TO RESCHEDULE OR CANCEL?
You may reschedule or cancel if your reservation is over 48 hours away. If you are within the 48-hour window, we will be unable to change or cancel the booking. All cancellations, whatever the reason or timing, are subject to a 2.9% plus $0.50 cancellation fee. Please direct all refund requests to greatgoldbird@gmail.com
IS GREAT GOLD BIRD SCARY?
No, but it is mysterious and there may be some moments of tension.
CONTENT WARNING
grief, cancer, natural disasters, death of a parent and spouse, language
CAN I BRING MY KID OR BABY?
Great Gold Bird is not recommended for anyone under 14, due to the subject matter (see the above content warnings). Any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Babies may join their parents so long as they remain in a hands-free carrier for the first location.
ACCESSIBILITY WARNINGS
We regret that one of the locations in Great Gold Bird is not accessible to wheelchair users. In addition, it is not recommended for audience members who are not comfortable with walking up to half a mile (total), walking up an inclined hill, or standing for extended periods of time.
The narrative of Great Gold Bird relies on visual and auditory storytelling. Guests who are deaf, hard of hearing, or learned English as a second language are encouraged to let us know so we can setup an accessible version of the show for their booking.
Please reach out to greatgoldbird@gmail.com for inquiries about ADA accommodations.
