GUMSHOE: An Immersive Adventure in Detection

New Paradise Laboratories has teamed up with the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Rosenbach to create GUMSHOE, a performance investigating the never-ending struggle between fact, fiction, and falsehood.

GUMSHOE is first and foremost an expedition into the treasures of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Library agents will lead you through secret doors and down escape hatches into the underbelly of the building. Codes, puzzles, disguises, and subterfuge – a bobsled ride into the world of lost books.

Each interactive performance experience runs approximately 90 minutes and takes participants all over the Parkway Central Library, beginning in the library's grand main lobby. Comfortable, quiet shoes (gumshoes!) are advised.

You can also experience this immersive adventure outside live performance times using your smartphone.

• Got 45-60 minutes? Start in the lobby of the library with your smartphone and text the keyword "fullshoe" to the number 215-GUMTHAT (215-486-8428). Follow the secret prompts.

• Got 20-30 minutes? Start in the lobby of the library with your smartphone and text the keyword "shortshoe" to the number 215-GUMTHAT (215-486-8428). Follow the secret prompts.