The Fate of Kansas City is in your Hands;

This is Kansas City brings together both audience and performance together as Sandra Carluccio creates a whole new interactive theatre experience driven by mobile phones and imagination.

Participants are briefed with minimal information as they are warned of a character known only as ‘The Monster’. It stands on trial, but its innocence is unclear; that’s where you come in. Gifted a mobile phone at the start of the production, participants receive a series of calls guiding them around the Cultural Centre precinct of Southbank. Directed to specific locations of Southbank, participants become intimate with the story hearing details about the crimes ‘The Monster’ has committed. However, as the experience progresses participants discover more about ‘The Monster’ making them doubt the original claims; maybe it isn’t as evil as you first thought?

This production is an experimental work, combining mobile technology and performance to create an intimate theatre experience. Involving the audience personally with the story, allowing participants to get amid the fantasy and feel a part of the plot, Carluccio has delivered an experience to be remembered. This is Kansas City, juxtaposes the hustle and bustle of city life, with the eeriness of Kansas City and invites participants to look at the city of Brisbane in a whole new way. The story was extremely enjoyable and compelling and at no point was it boring or tedious. To partake in the performance and to be involved with the outcome of is an exciting change from the usual experiences of theatre.

I was worried that this production would be a flop and a chaotic experience. Mobile phones are notorious for losing reception at times where you need it the most, but this was no issue at all through the experience. It was a pleasant surprise to see that any issue that may have gone wrong was prevented. Even providing participants with ‘The Kansas City Helpline’ number, but such a service was not needed with a problem free performance.

After the performance participants were asked to fill in a feedback form, a question asked “What didn’t work?” and I can safely say nothing. Despite being experimental, this performance flowed seamlessly and was effortless to follow.

The only downfall of this production was that all participants went on the same journey, so if you weren’t first, you would know exactly where you would be going, which to an extent hindered the experience, but it was enjoyable none the less.

I was disappointed only in the limitations of the production; I would love to see a similar work on a larger scale, for a longer time and Carluccio definitely has the skill and creativity to do so. I am looking forward to seeing more of her work in the future.