THE CONCEPT

A part-cinema part-theatrical event that blurs the line between performance and reality, immersing audiences into the final night of The New Apostles—a radical religious order preparing for transcendence through mass suicide by fire.

Through multimedia storytelling, audience coercion, and psychological tension, The Holy Fire challenges perception, belief, and the power of manipulation through immersion.

THE NEW APOSTLES

A cosmic religious order on a divine mission. Their leader, AXIOM, was visited by Jesus and Joan of Arc and given a holy directive: spread the gospel across the universe.

The only way? Mass Self-immolation. Baptized by the “power of the stars”, freeing their souls to be reborn as gods on distant planets where they will spread the new gospel throughout the universe.

—This is their last night on Earth.

THIS IS THE NIGHT OF HOLY FIRE.

A ritualistic gathering—and the audience is part of it.

AXIOM stands alone on stage, addressing his followers (actors mixed within the audience), bolstering the confidence of his fellowship as they prepare for transcendence: the final purging of the flesh through fire under the protection of Joan of Arc and those burned at the stake over the centuries.

The performance is a slow-building psychological journey.

A MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE

Rather than relying solely on the cast to deliver backstory, The Holy Fire uses intermittent film segments of a ‘Netflix’ style documentary about the cult and the night we are witnessing on stage. These segments introduce us to ex-members and further expand on the philosophies and practices of the cult — albeit from a sharply contrasting point of view.

The audience is both a passive observer, watching the aftermath unfold on screen, and an active participant, experiencing the night as it plays out in real time.

IMMERSIVE PARTICIPATION

Unlike traditional theater, The Holy Fire does not simply tell a story—it pulls the audience in. The line between audience and performer is intentionally blurred. The audience experience the film segments only to realize that they are indeed participants in the events about to take place. The intention is not to disturb the audience, but to try and get them on board with, or at the very least accept the cult’s ideology, extreme as it may be… Hypnotic visuals, original music, and dramatic lighting are used to create an altered state of consciousness.

WORLD BUILDING

From the moment they arrive, the audience step into the world of The New Apostles. The theater space is transformed with cult-generated artwork, music, and experimental video projections while juxtaposed with new reports about other cults (Waco, Order of the Solar Temple, Heaven’s Gate, Jonestown). Handmade pamphlets spread the teachings of AXIOM. The pre-show dramatics are a mix of “light and love” and “dark and ominous”.

WHY THIS PROJECT?

The Holy Fire is a bold take on theatre —
an event that feels challenging, immersive and potentially dangerous.

A Unique Blend of Theatre, Film & Cult Psychology —
Inspired by real-life movements like Heaven’s Gate, Raelism, the Branch Davidians and medieval sects such as the Cathars and the Münster Anabaptists.

A Mind-Bending Journey —
Audiences don’t just watch—they feel, question, and participate.