Laurel Devenie Photo: Supplied
It’s described as genre-bending, bespoke and immersive - a show you can’t fit into one category. Our Own Little Mess at Q Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland follows the lives of five different characters with seemingly no connection; a woman takes off to Europe while grieving the death of her mother; a man pictures his life as art installations while navigating the dating scene in New York; a university lecturer isolates himself trying to come to terms with losing a promotion; an anxious mother is caring for her young daughter while her partner’s away overseas and a ventriloquist experiences an existential crisis while in the desert.
Audiences are given headphones at the start of the show to wear throughout for an immersive audio experience. You’re made to feel you’re both watching the characters and inside their minds with their thoughts. Similar to ASMR, the immediacy of the headphones closes the distance between the viewers and the characters.
Scenes are sharp, energetic and fast-paced; as if you’re watching each vignette through a View-Master. The transitions between each storyline and the use of lighting, sound, props and movement make for an impressive and slick show. The storylines’ span countries and environments but the actors make use of very few props to create the different scenarios.
Inspired by author Haruki Murakami, filmmakers the Daniels (Everything, Everywhere, All at Once) and cultural critic Olivia Laing, it’s an insightful celebration of the human experience, from the mundane to the magical.
Laurel Devenie speaks to Culture 101 about devising the immersive piece.
Our Own Little Mess is at Q Theatre until 3 August.
