This is a review of four short Japanese VR theatre pieces, presented by Mashiro Small Theater under the title “Omnibus Performance Vol.1”. These four 15-minute plays were created by “amateur” (a term that needs completely rethinking) groups and performed in the Mashiro Small Theater on the virtual social platform, VRChat. The program was performed on Feb 23, 2025 and March 2, 2025.

The review outlines the plots of each performance, then offers brief critical readings of the core themes at play in each work. This review is part of an ongoing research project that I am currently working on called “Ethereal Materials: Being and Performance in Virtual Worlds.” The review is non-peer reviewed and offered in the form of open “field notes.”

Read the article here: https://etherealmaterials.net/omnibus-performance-vol-1/