Adelaide Botanic Garden, Sun 18 Nov.

Circa is an outdoor theatre performance which will take you on a journey through Adelaide Botanic Garden’s past.” It is further described as an “interactive, promenade theatre performance” by the Canadian-based Live History Production Company.

Circa did focus on the Botanic Garden’s past, we did indeed promenade, and there was a lot of interaction, but alas there was very little in the way of performance. The whole thing felt much more like a group activity that might be better suited to children on a school excursion.

It was good to connect with a group of strangers and wander through our beautiful gardens at night (the local bats made a star appearance right on cue) but the show is too dependent on intelligent input from the group, and attempts to add a touch of humour by auditioning each of us for some fictitious secret society were clumsy and childish, and detracted from the primary focus of the exercise.

A show that was more performance than interaction could better capitalise on the enchanting venue and do a more effective job of imparting information about characters from the garden’s past. As it was, it was confusing and flawed in concept. Despite all its shortcomings it was something of an endearing experience too as some audience members clearly wanted to make it work and got into the spirit of it.

Interaction with a live ambulant audience is an admirable goal, but Circa might be more successful if the Live History Production Company took more of the responsibility for bringing the garden’s history to light, rather than rely on a group of random strangers to entertain each other.

2.5 stars

Michael Coghlan

Circa continues at Adelaide Botanic Garden, at various times, until Sun Nov 25.

Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

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Adelaide Botanic Garden, Sun 18 Nov. “Circa is an outdoor theatre performance which will take you on a journey through Adelaide Botanic Garden’s past.” It is further described as an “interactive, promenade theatre performance” by the Canadian-based Live History Production Company. Circa did focus on the Botanic Garden’s past, we did indeed promenade, and there was a lot of interaction, but alas there was very little in the way of performance. The whole thing felt much more like a group activity that might be better suited to children on a school excursion. It was good to connect with a group of strangers and wander through our beautiful gardens at night (the local bats made a star appearance right on cue) but the show is too dependent on intelligent input from the group, and attempts to add a touch of humour by auditioning each of us for some fictitious secret society were clumsy and childish, and detracted from the primary focus of the exercise. A show that was more performance than interaction could better capitalise on the enchanting venue and do a more effective job of imparting information about characters from the garden’s past. As it was, it was confusing and flawed in concept. Despite all its shortcomings it was something of an endearing experience too as some audience members clearly wanted to make it work and got into the spirit of it. Interaction with a live ambulant audience is an admirable goal, but Circa might be more successful if the Live History Production Company took more of the responsibility for bringing the garden’s history to light, rather than rely on a group of random strangers to entertain each other. 2.5 stars Michael Coghlan Circa continues at Adelaide Botanic Garden, at various times, until Sun Nov 25. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

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Michael Coghlan

An edifying stroll through the Botanic Gardens with strangers.

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