A powerful and immersive new piece of physical theatre from DNA Studio – RTFM (Read The F***ing Manual), is premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe at the beginning of August.  Against the backdrop of war, a couple embark on a seemingly ordinary task: assembling an IKEA wardrobe.  Through the act of building – their furniture, life, and relationship – they discover that even in the darkest moments, there’s hope.



Q1 What exactly is the piece all about and what can the audience expect from the play?

RTFM (Read The F***ing Manual) is an immersive physical theatre performance based on a real-life experience. It tells the story of a couple trying to assemble an IKEA wardrobe set against the backdrop of war. Through the act of building – their furniture, life, and relationship – they discover that even in the darkest moments, there’s hope. The couple’s journey parallels the ‘IKEA effect,’ where people attribute greater value to items they construct themselves, reflecting their growing realisation of their relationship’s worth. Audience members take an active role as the supportive community, respond to prompts from actors, engage in dialogue and physically assist in the wardrobe construction. We also use innovative 3D sound technology to create an immersive soundscape, allowing sound effects and music to be precisely directed around and toward the audience. Ultimately, RTFM is about the journey from loss to resilience, focusing on growth and perseverance even in the darkest times. It’s a hopeful piece that highlights the power of building and the support of the community in overcoming adversity.

Q2 What do you consider unique about it?

Imagine this: you step into the theatre, and you’re not just a spectator—you’re part of the story, you are the neighbor from flat 4 seeing your couple neighbours from flat 7 carrying a wardrobe, will you give them a hand? RTFM is an immersive experience where every sound, and every emotion, feels real. You are right there with us, building something incredible together and overcoming obstacles. You can choose if you want to just watch but you are encouraged to participate, engage, and connect. Through our innovative use of technology and heartfelt storytelling, we invite you to explore themes of resilience, hope, and the power of human connection. It’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave the theatre.

Q3 You mention the Ikea Effect – what is this and why was it important to you to include it as a theme?

The ‘IKEA effect’ is where people attribute greater value to the furniture they assemble themselves. The ‘IKEA effect’ mirrors the way the couple gradually realise the value of their relationship, as they invest time, effort, and emotion into the building together. Through the ups and downs of assembling, they discover that their bond grows stronger with each step, reinforcing the idea that sometimes, the greatest value lies in the effort we put into creating and nurturing something of our own. Moreover, as anyone who has tried to piece together an IKEA wardrobe can attest- it’s a real trial, often seen as a test of a relationship’s strength. In the performance, as the couple navigates through the assembly manual, they confront not only the physical task but also the intricacies of their relationship dynamics. Through this process, they reflect on communication, teamwork, and shared responsibility, ultimately discovering new depths in their connection and the strength to navigate external conflicts together.

Q4 What inspired you to use the themes in the play?

The performance is based on a real-life experience. In RTFM, we explore the juxtaposition of the need to carry on with everyday tasks in the face of external chaos. This became the driving force behind our creation, fueling our determination to create a hopeful piece centred on the theme of building. Since then, we’ve been diving deep into themes such as building from loss, the ordinary and the extraordinary, as well as themes of hope and resilience. We used the IKEA manual as a narrative framework, crafting a storyline around the couple’s efforts to assemble a wardrobe, which became a metaphor for their relationship and resilience. We firmly believe in the unifying power of art and are committed to sharing our story with audiences in Edinburgh and beyond.

Our performance serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and explores universal themes such as love, loss, and hope that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. Through immersive audience engagement, our performance fosters dialogue and understanding, serving as a platform for meaningful conversations.

Q5 This is an immersive performance with the audience getting involved. How?

Throughout the performance, the audience will actively participate in the couple’s journey. They will respond to prompts from actors, engage in dialogue during moments of stress, offer solutions, take sides, and sometimes physically assist in wardrobe construction. Guided by spatial sound cues, the audience will know when and how to contribute, acting as a supportive community. They will offer encouragement, share personal experiences, and express empathy for the couple’s struggles. Just as the couple’s journey will be affected by the ‘IKEA effect’, so too will the audience’s journey. As they support the couple and take an active role in helping them assemble the wardrobe and rebuild their relationship, audience members will become emotionally invested in the couple’s journey.

Q6 Tell us more about the physical theatre, sound effects and music within the play and how they enhance its narrative.

During RTFM physical theatre is employed as the primary medium to convey the storytelling and thematic depth of the performance. The performers use physical theatre techniques to embody the tension, frustration, and eventual cooperation required in both the act of building furniture and the couple’s relationship. The meticulous, often clumsy, physicality involved in the construction process parallels the couple’s struggles and triumphs, with gestures, postures, and movements reflecting their emotional and relational dynamics. The performers’ interactions with the set and props, such as the wardrobe pieces, transform the stage into a dynamic, multi-dimensional space, conveying ongoing conflict and eventual harmony. This environmental interaction and physical manipulation of space and objects externalise the couple’s internal journey, making abstract emotions and themes tangible. RTFM also pushes the boundaries of theatrical sound design, using a cutting-edge 8-speaker circular array positioned around the stage and audience. Paired with 3D audio processing software, this innovative use of technology helps us create an immersive soundscape.



Imagine the distant sound of an alarm, footsteps circling the stage, or whispers of a news anchor seemingly emanating from behind you. Unlike traditional speaker setups, this 3D approach allows sound effects, music, and dialogue to be precisely directed around and towards the audience. This creates a heightened sense of clarity, immersing the audience into the world of the performance. The sound design will create the outside world that the couple lives in, and the music will mirror the emotional journey of the couple. The ability to move sound design and music around the theatre will enhance the overall experience and foster a deeper connection between the audience and the performance.

Q7 And more about DNA Studio?

We are a collaborative studio between Dor Frenkel, a physical theatre director, and performer, and Amit Segall, a new media artist and musician. We specialise in creating immersive experiences that question human behaviours and cultural changes through performance art and interactive new media. Since 2015, we have been exploring multimedia and interactivity as a tool for pushing the boundaries of art, performance and the immersive experience.  We have been creating thought-provoking performances with innovative technologies and we play with narrative, technology and movement to create a new experience of creative-computational performance.

All of the dates in Edinburgh and London Preview Shows are listed below. Sounds like it’s going to be a fun couple of months. There’s probably a new business venture for them after the Fringe helping people build flat-pack furniture.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival Shows:

Dates: August 2nd to August 10th

Venue: Greenside @Riddle’s Court, Willow Studio

Time: 2:00 PM

Running Time: 50 minutes

Tickets Link: Ed Fringe Tickets for RTFM


London Preview Shows:

Dates & Times: July 26th at 7:30 PM, July 27th at 2:00 PM

Venue: Tramshed Theatre, 51-53 Woolwich New Road, London SE18 6ES

Tickets Link: Tramshed Tickets for RTFM

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/tramshed/1304176



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https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/rtfm-read-the-f-ing-manual