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The cast of Butterfly Smokescreen.
As a fairly introverted person who has never experienced immersive theatre – or the 1920s or super yachts for that matter – a few things surprised me with The Barden Party’s new show, ‘Butterfly Smokescreen’.
I didn’t expect to feel uncomfortably voyeuristic as the evening played out. And I definitely didn’t expect to become so heavily invested in a mystery from a hundred years ago.
I also hadn’t planned to swap my shoes for slippers or to have to ditch my phone. One wound up a comfortable bonus and the other simply ensured there were no distractions.
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Played out on Auckland super yacht Sea Breeze III, Butterfly Smokescreen is set in Hollywood and based on the story of Thomas Ince, a silent filmmaker who made more than 800 films and died onboard a private yacht in 1924 – spurring rumours and theories around whether his death was accident or something more sinister.
To take a trip back in time and join the party, guests are encouraged to dress in their 1920s best but – speaking from experience – if all you have at your disposal is a feather nicked from the cat’s favourite toy and silver Christmas ribbon to fashion a headband – that’ll do.
From the moment you step on board, the cast is in full character, and guests are expected to be the same. While waiting for the guest of honour to arrive, actors mingle with the audience, giving the opportunity for them to create their own personas.
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The cast prepare for Friday evening’s Butterfly Smokescreen show onboard Sea Breeze III.
Secret affairs are gossiped about, the blackjack table is in full swing, you’re encouraged to have a crack at the Charleston to live music.
It’s clear the audience’s willingness to embrace the scene and get caught up in the mystery of the night could have a massive effect on just how enjoyable the show winds up being. Friday’s audience, luckily, had plenty of people willing to do exactly that.
As for the scene, it’s Thomas Ince’s 42nd birthday party, and media tycoon William Randolph Hearst is hosting his soirée on a yacht.
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It’s an immersive theatre experience that costs up to $230, wants you to dress up in 1920s glam and promises excitement and intrigue – all on a superyacht.
Guests include gossip columnist Louella Parsons, who always seems to be chasing a story, actor Charlie Chaplin, author Elinor Glynn and actress Marion Davies amongst others. Each show is limited to 30 audience members (and party guests).
As the party takes a dark twist, and the show takes a surprising twist in format, the audience is invited to get immersed in the mystery on board.
In what feels like a confusing whodunnit game, you can watch over the shoulders of business deals, sit at the edge of the bed as sordid affairs play out and get lost in piecing together the mystery of the death of Thomas Ince in 1924.
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Cast members Wiremu Tuhiwai and Matt Bruce onboard Sea Breeze III.
The small spaces and active scenes feel claustrophobic at times, but with plenty of places to explore, there’s always somewhere to escape to.
It’s often confusing. You feel like you’re missing vital pieces of information and are never quite sure whether you’re in the middle of the scene that will provide all the answers or whether you should be following another character to another area of the yacht.
But it’s easy to get lost in the scenes playing out around you and the clues that may or may not be hidden in plain sight.
If you’re a person who loves getting a bit dressed up, is happy to get involved or at least watch everyone else’s self-made characters take shape, Butterfly Smokescreen is a fun night that will unexpectedly draw you in.
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Actor Matt Bruce on the Butterfly Smokescreen set – an Auckland superyacht.
As my first immersive theatre experience? I’m glad I had it. As someone who prefers to sit on the sidelines and let the action play out in front of me, just how invested I became by the end surprised me.
As we left, I checked in with the fellow introvert I went with to see if he enjoyed it.
“Shit yeah,” was the response.
I’d call that a win.
Butterfly Smokescreen stars Wiremu Tuhiwai, Ollie Howlett, Laura Irish, Caleb James, Matt Bruce, Kirsty McGuire, Julia Guthrey, Sam McIlroy and Mackenzie Gardner.
Butterfly Smokescreen runs in Auckland until August. Tickets are available from Eventfinda.
