It's Parisian salon culture of the 1920's but with an absurdist twist - Think ‘Midnight in Paris’ meets ‘Salvador Dali’.

Meet James Elliott (he/him), a Yugambeh based experience designer specialising in immersive and interactive events with a background in theatre performance and devising in Brisbane / Meanjin since 2011.

Tell us about the show in 100 words or less.

The Time Travel Café is an open-ended 60-minute immersive theatre experience set in a speakeasy bar hidden behind a tailor shop in the heart of the Woolloongabba social precinct. It is reminiscent of the Parisian salon culture of the early 1920's but with an absurdist twist. Think ‘Midnight in Paris’ meets ‘Salvador Dali’.

Anywhere Festival takes place anywhere but a theatre. Tell us about your venue. What is it about your space that adds to your audience experience?

We have been fortunate to work in the newly renovated Tailor Shop in Woolloongabba’s antique precinct. A sister space to The Canvas Club, the space is a speakeasy bar hidden behind a Tailor’s Shop. It has a beautiful classic modern style perfect for a space set in a “timeless void”. And yes, there will be two functioning bars available throughout the show including cocktails and a small menu.

 What is your creative process like?

Kristian (Santic, Director) developed a ‘track’ for each actor that allows for audience interaction, one on one vignettes, scenes between actors to all run simultaneously with each other. I (James) devised the worldbuilding and logic of the show and Kristian devised the character arcs and tracks. Once we cast our show we devised as an ensemble how each character interacts with each other, the audience, and the space.

Tell us your origin story. How did your show start?

The brainchild of a COVID daydream, Kristian and I couldn’t stop riffing on how incredible it could be to create a space where audiences could interact with seminal characters from history. We decided to found SpaceFold Technology to house The Time Travel Café as a collective that specialises in immersive experiences and interactive environments.

 Who is your perfect audience member? Who is going to LOVE this event?

If you enjoyed Midnight In Paris or The Great Gatsby but also love Back to the Future or Salvador Dali then you will feel right at home at the Time Travel Café. We believe that everyone deserves to feel special and at The Time Travel Café, everyone is.

 Is there anything else we simply MUST know about the show?

We have developed over 5 hours of content to seamlessly weave within one 60 minute session. We hope you will join us so that we can make you feel like you’re a part of history.

The Time Travel Café takes place as part of Anywhere Festival from the 5th May – 23rd May at Tailor Shop – The Canvas Club in Woolloongabba.