As part of this year’s Emerging Writers’ Festival, The Boon Companions staged ‘You Might As Well Live‘, an immersive experience for the literary elite of 1929. It was a night to write, create, dance, love, and live.
Upon entering, a group of people are already swing-dancing to the live music by The Woohoo Revue. Once you began exploring the space, you found that every corner offered something to experience. You could get the creative juices flowing by sitting at a typewriter and co-writing the next great American novel, or if you were able to locate Russian writer Nikolai Gogol, he would take a photo of you for your author portrait.
While it was impossible to experience everything, I never felt like I was missing out on anything due to the sheer amount of things to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch.
Myron, TPO co-founder Theresa, and friend
The ‘Chapel of Words’, off to the side of the main dance hall in The Church of Bang-Bang Boogaloo held a number of secret performances, from life drawing classes to wine tasting and more intimate musical performances.
A particular highlight of the evening that I experienced was the pairing of the breathtaking voice of Mama Alto and Sean M. Whelan’s eloquent spoken word poetry.
For those searching for a deeper connection, you could write a love letter to the one that caught your eye, which the wandering postman would happily deliver your declaration of love to. Getting into the spirit of things, I wrote a letter and sent it on its merry way.
The best thing about these type of immersive events is the effort that everyone puts in to dressing up and playing the role, allowing for a relaxed and friendly evening where everyone gets along with each other and meeting lots of new people. I have now been to two amazing parties by The Boon Companions, and I am very much looking forward to seeing what they come up with for their next immersive event.
– Myron
Myron My is an avid theatre and performance art attendee and reviewer who will be home all week waiting for the postman to deliver him a love letter. @mightymy9
Follow The Boon Companions on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events. Can’t get enough? Buy a ticket and fly to Sydney on 9 July for ‘Dance Magic Dance – The Wedding Reception’.
