by Alex Claridge
aclaridge@thekmgroup.co.uk

Eyes wide and mouths agape, an unsuspecting trio watched in amazement as they became the first victims of a new game set to take the country by storm this summer.

David Lee, Bridgit Richardson and Mike Dalton had arrived outside Canterbury Cathedral at 11am on Saturday thinking they were just completing the latest stage of a tour of the city.

But no sooner had they arrived than they were surrounded by 20 people wearing red who danced to the sounds of music coming from a nearby ghetto blaster.

The trio’s faces told a story of total astonishment as they stood in the Buttermarket.
“I just thought 'what the bloody hell’s going on here’,” said Mike, 66. “We had no idea this was going to happen and thought we were here just to do the latest part of a trail around Canterbury.”

They had been led into the Buttermarket under the impression they needed to count the number of angels on either side of the statue of Jesus above the Cathedral gates.

They were in fact the first victims of the Harlequin Game – described as a “first person video game brought into the real world”.

Actors parachute themselves into a person’s normal routine as they embark on a real life adventure over a month.

Alan Rook, creative director of the Harlequin Game, said: “Our bespoke experiences are about the thrill of the unknown - they are about tailored surprises.
“Our team games introduce an element of quirky competition to the surprises.
“Once the single player Harlequin Game begins you’re 'in play’ for an entire month. Every time you wake you won’t know if and when that day will include curious encounters, challenges or trials courtesy of The Harlequin.”

The actors forming the flashmob came from the city’s Black Hole Academy of Acting.

Bridgit, 45, added: “This was totally unexpected, but I have to say that the actors were very good.”

Visit www.theharlequingame.com for more information