Impulse: Playing with Reality

Written and directed by May Abdalla and Barry Gene Murphy of Anagram, and narrated by Tilda Swinton

Watershed, Bristol, 1 October – 2 November 2025

Impulse: Playing with Reality, at the Undershed Gallery at Watershed, Bristol, is a powerful and thought-provoking mixed reality experience designed for the Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset. Written and directed by May Abdalla and Barry Gene Murphy of Anagram, and narrated by Tilda Swinton, this 30-minute mixed reality piece uses immersive storytelling to explore the lived experiences of four individuals with ADHD.

Through a seamless blend of the physical and digital, Impulse takes audiences into the inner worlds of Leanne, Omar, Errol, and Tara – each offering a unique perspective on how ADHD shapes their lives. Leanne gamifies her world to escape boredom; Omar channels his restless energy into risky heists; Errol constructs a bold persona to earn respect; while Tara faces the crushing weight of hopelessness. Together, their stories highlight the many different ways ADHD can manifest – from impulsivity and thrill-seeking to exhaustion and despair.

What makes Impulse so effective is how it invites you to do as much as to see. The interactive element – where participants physically place thoughts around their environment – creates a striking metaphor for how scattered, intrusive or overwhelming thoughts can feel. Personally, as someone with ADHD, I found this part especially resonant. The uncertainty of where to put each thought mirrored the daily mental clutter and indecision that often accompany the condition. It’s rare to encounter a piece that captures that confusion so tangibly.

While Impulse can’t possibly represent every experience of ADHD – and there were aspects that didn’t align exactly with my own – it succeeds in portraying just how different the condition can look from person to person. Its real strength lies in showing how misunderstood ADHD often is, and how the absence of support or understanding can push individuals towards risk or self-harm.

Ultimately, Impulse: Playing with Reality is not just a technical achievement in mixed reality but also a deeply human one. It encourages empathy and understanding, particularly for those unfamiliar with ADHD, while giving those who live with it a sense of recognition. It’s an important, affecting experience – one that lingers long after you remove the headset.

Watershed: Impulse: Playing with Reality: https://www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/13537/impulse-playing-with-reality

Gabriel Ladbury Dos Santos

Gabriel Ladbury Dos Santos is a writer of English and Brazilian heritage.