Hollywood Scandal Comes To Auckland Viaduct In Exclusive Immersive Production On Famed Superyacht

The Barden Party and Jetpack Theatre present
Butterfly Smokescreen
Aboard the Sea Breeze III in Auckland’s Viaduct
June 2 - August 6

Step aboard one of Auckland’s most famed superyachts, grab a glass of champagne and be plunged into an evening of Hollywood high society, love triangles, drama and possibly … murder.

Butterfly Smokescreen is the latest production from award-winning immersive theatre company The Barden Party, in collaboration with Sydney-based Jetpack Theatre.

The show promises a night of champagne, thrills, seduction, extravagance and temptation that will transport you to the roaring 20s, and leave you breathless.

Barden Party Director Laura Irish says the show began as an idea several years ago from her longtime friend and collaborator and Jetpack founder Jim Fishwick.

The year is 1924 and famed Hollywood producer Thomas Ince has been invited aboard the prized yacht of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. It is Ince’s 42nd birthday. His guests? Film royalty Charlie Chaplin, Marion Davies and … you.

In only a few hours, Ince will be dead and the tabloid world will be set ablaze with tales of scandal and intrigue. Guests are invited to put on their best glad rags and join the mystery as they follow characters around the four levels of the 100ft Sea Breeze III, in Auckland’s viaduct.

It was a story worthy of putting an audience in amongst it. The only issue was that it needed a yacht worthy of the tale.

“And then we got a rare opportunity to produce it and access to an incredible super yacht. It was an opportunity we couldn’t resist.”

Fishwick made their name in immersive productions as the director of the escape-room-style theatrical adventure ‘Art Heist’, daring its audiences to enter a purpose-built art gallery, fool alarm systems, district security guards, and steal a famous painting.

“Butterfly Smokescreen is the piece of immersive theatre I’ve always dreamed of making for close to a decade. This production won’t disappoint.”

It was a story worthy of putting an audience in amongst it. The only issue was that it needed a yacht worthy of the tale.

“And then we got a rare opportunity to produce it and access to an incredible super yacht. It was an opportunity we couldn’t resist.”

Fishwick made their name in immersive productions as the director of the escape-room-style theatrical adventure ‘Art Heist’, daring its audiences to enter a purpose-built art gallery, fool alarm systems, district security guards, and steal a famous painting.

“Butterfly Smokescreen is the piece of immersive theatre I’ve always dreamed of making for close to a decade. This production won’t disappoint.”

What happened to Ince? Was it a business deal gone bad? Did he observe something he shouldn’t have? Was he involved in a forbidden love triangle? Did he indulge in too much illegal alcohol and salted almonds? What forces were at play that night which left Hollywood tabloids with screaming headlines. Only you can find out when you step into the world of Butterfly Smokescreen.

Sea Breeze III was formerly owned by billionaire Graeme Hart and now is the pride and joy of Charlotte Devereux who painstakingly refurbished the 1976 superyacht with her partner Simon Greenwood. She jumped at the opportunity to host such an experience aboard the yacht.

“Sea Breeze III is the perfect setting for this experience. It is an exclusive, intimate show that will keep audiences talking. We can’t wait to kick off the Butterfly Smokescreen season."

Tickets for this unique immersive experience are now on sale. In Auckland for 8 weeks only. Only 30 audience members per session.

For more information visit https://thebardenparty.com/butterflysmokescreen

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