From the Ground Up is an interactive show developed by the Almeida Theatre Young Company. It is an unusual, exciting but slightly disconcerting experience which involves the audience being asked many black and white, yes-or-no questions by a team of young actors posing as researchers. The audience is required to answer in a variety of ways – by tallying their answers on their hands, by stepping left and right on a grid on the floor, by moving closer to certain actors. Throughout the show, these researchers, who are sort of team captains with differing opinions and passions, sort the audience into their colour-coded teams (Mr Black cares about the environment, Ms Purple values free speech..), expressing ‘preferences’ for certain audience members whom they feel they relate to. All this takes place in a low-ceilinged, cramped basement in Assembly Roxy, heightening the tense atmosphere.

From the Ground Up seems to give the audience power. But in fact, it brings to light how powerful and active audiences of more conventional shows are: in the safe darkness of an auditorium, they are free to react in whatever way they choose – they can switch their attention on or off, get up and leave or even fall asleep. This audience, on the other hand, is forced into the spotlight, forced to make decisions – it is in the power of the actors. As the researchers repeatedly emphasise, there is only black or white here, no grey. ‘Do you think homosexual relationships are inherently different from straight relationships?’ ‘Would you cling to power if someone tried to take it from you?’ ‘Do you owe something to society?’ These are the kind of political and personal questions put before the audience as they reveal a little more of themselves with each answer. Sometimes, all are asked to close their eyes to encourage honesty – perhaps it is a comment on our voting systems that we can only be honest about our opinions when no one is looking.

This is a show that is more interesting than fun. As a fascinating invitation to examine our beliefs, our way of making decisions and how we act under pressure, it really works. And we are left asking: are we our choices? As a narrative or as entertainment it falls rather short, but that’s not what this show is about. An absorbing and different hour in which you entirely forget about the world outside, it’s a good escape from all the stand-up comedy – you will be talking about it for a while yet.

From the Ground Up is playing Assembly Roxy until August 27.