The Time Travel Café

The Time Travel Café invites audiences to take a trip through time and have a conversation with history. The premise is that you and your fellow time travellers have arrived at a party inhabited by famous historical figures. Best described as semi-scripted, immersive theatre, the entertainers work through several rooms where they perform some scripted pieces and improvise conversations with the crowd.

Part of the fun and surprise is just who you’re going to meet, so we won’t reveal which historical figures are present, though you may guess a few from the images! You can choose to interact as much or as little as you like with the performers. Some are stronger at their scripted parts than the improvisation, but all maintain amazing levels of focus and commitment during the scripted and adlibbed moments.

Each performer shines in their own way. Nadia Milford shows great physical characterisation and regal status in her role. Wayne Jennings captures his character perfectly and demonstrates marvellous musical skills. Matthew Hannibal Butler nails his character’s intensity and deftly captures his bravado. Brie Jurss has a gift for physical comedy and takes some brave risks, especially in the improvisation. Gina Tay Limpus is fiercely committed to her role and she has a wonderful singing voice.

Special mention to the set design, which is splendidly detailed. The event takes place in an old shop in Brisbane’s Woolloongabba which has been transformed for the show. Every room oozes old fashioned opulence. It’s a mix of the modern day, Victorian era drawing room, and 1920’s Parisian charm. Two bars serve beers, wines, and a bunch of specially crafted cocktails with fun time travel names such as the DeLorean. You can choose to sit comfortably in one of the spaces and watch the characters that come to you, or you can wander throughout the party to see snippets of each.

Wherever you go, as an audience member, you are painfully aware of so much more happening in the other rooms. This is the kind of show you could return to over several evenings and never have the same experience twice. The 60-minute performances run until 23 May, so Brisbane locals still have time to enjoy this unique event.

Kitty Goodall