Reviewed by Malcolm Calder
Based on true events of a Classic Hollywood mystery that has remained unsolved for almost 100 years, Butterfly Smokescreen is the latest production from award-winning immersive theatre company The Barden Party, in collaboration with Sydney-based Jetpack Theatre.
Butterfly Smokescreen
Concept by Laura Irish and Jim Fishwick
Development by Laura Irish, Caleb James, Ollie Howlett, Jim Fishwick and Kirsty McGuire
Music by Ollie Howlett
Featuring: Wiremu Tuhiwai, Ollie Howlett, Laura Irish, Caleb James, Matt Bruce, Kirsty McGuire, Julia Guthrey, Sam McIlroy and Mackenzie Gardner
Costuming by Liss Spratt, Innit Creative
Images and Content: Jonny Eagle, Innit Creative
The Barden Party/ Jetpack Theatre
Sea Breeze III, Eastern Viaduct, Auckland
Until 3 August, 2023
Reviewed by Malcolm Calder
An Immersion – No, not in the water
“An intimate immersive theatrical experience on a superyacht” read the invitation. “Sounds good” I thought. But I failed to read the fine print. “Come dressed for a 1924 party”, it read. I wish I had.
I was welcomed aboard with a glass of bubbles, given some very clear shipboard instructions about moving around the ship and my own health and safety and then joined about 30 or 40 others aboard Aotearoa’s largest capacity superyacht where there was a party going on. Introductions abounded.
However a 100-year time-shift had somehow taken place and the year was now 1924. The silent film industry was in its heyday, prohibition was making parties like this the domain of the superrich and famed Hollywood producer Thomas H Ince (“Hi, I’m Thomas, better known as the Father of the Western, and you are … ?”) had been invited aboard the prized yacht of newspaper tycoon and the most powerful man in Los Angeles, William Randolph Hearst for the weekend (”Hi, I’m WR, welcome aboard”).
WR is hosting this party because it is Ince’s 44th birthday. The party guests include film royalty (”my name is Charles – Chaplin that is – and this gorgeous creature is Marion Davies. You are … ?”). There was champagne everywhere, nibbles galore and I gradually worked out that maybe 10 of the people at this party were in fact actors. So, and despite feeling a bit like an odd-man-odd not being in period costume, I joined in and chattered away about … well, not much really. Mainly because everyone was so keen and eager to see what was actually going to happen. We had no idea.
Perhaps interestingly, as we chatted amongst ourselves (maybe there were actors involved, I gave up trying to work out whether Sharron and Bob were actors or simply party-goers), faux Hollywood accents started sprouting all over the place. Those of the actors weren’t too bad, but some of the attendees’ accents were positively egregious. They must be contagious I thought. Or perhaps it’s something in the champagne. But I gave up worrying about it and just added my own voice to the egregiousness.
After about 15 minutes we were called to order and told to not utter another word, to become invisible – wraiths in fact – without getting in the way of the actors. However we were free to go anywhere, and to look at, handle or otherwise inspect anything by way of trinkets, papers or other paraphernalia that we chanced upon.
That’s when it became apparent that maybe a quarter of the partygoers were in fact actors and the action started.
It took place over about 7 different spaces on 4 different levels (the stateroom, main cabin, galley, lounge, wheel-house, on the forward and stern decks, etc) sometimes simultaneously. At first this all seemed very confusing because the action was spread all over the boat and I had no idea where to look next. Not did anyone else. But at least I stopped talking and completely forgot about my dreadful accent.
As I moved up and down gangways and listened closely, there seemed to be discussion and/or arguments going on about scandals, castings, payments, investment returns, furtive gropings and even seductions, contracts being read, ripped up and re-written, etc. All by different characters and all in different places. Oh yes, I distinctly recall seeing quite a lot of skin at one stage too – must have been on the bed in the main cabin – quite appropriately, I vaguely recall seeing an R18 sign on something at entry. However a pattern to the shenanigans gradually emerged or at least I thought so.
Ultimately, in true murder-mystery fashion, there is a death. But I have faithfully promised to not reveal who, what, how or why. That is up to the audience. You. Suffice to say the ‘pattern’ I thought I had perceived was utterly and completely wrong.
Based on true events of a Classic Hollywood mystery that has remained unsolved for almost 100 years, Butterfly Smokescreen is the latest production from award-winning immersive theatre company The Barden Party, in collaboration with Sydney-based Jetpack Theatre.
Sea Breeze III was formerly owned by billionaire Graeme Hart and is now the pride and joy of Charlotte Devereux who painstakingly refurbished the 1976 super yacht in an authentic and stunning art deco style with her partner Simon Greenwood.
It is the perfect venue for this boutique and limited affair and is ideally suited to party groups. As befits the surrounds, it’s not cheap though. So if you have a big bash night out planned, then this one is for you.
Tickets www.boutiquesuperyachts.com
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