Captain Dada’s Pirate Theatre is an interactive theatre adventure for a family audience, inspired by the legends of sea robbers. Two performers will be using physical theatre, absurd humor and surreal twists to pull the audience into an unpredictably adventurous treasure hunt. To the horizon, over the edge and down to the bottom!

Description of the performance:

Two actors conjure up the theatrical atmosphere with minimal tools and site-specific approaches. Through short scenes and by posing playful and intriguing questions, the actors establish a dialogue with the audience. By the time they fish out a bottle with a secret message, the audience has warmed up and the adventure can begin.

The audience is transformed in to the pirate crew. After taking an oath, the audience agrees on the name for the ship (made from paper on the spot), and with some noise and a flickering light, a storm is conjured. The ship sinks and the crew starts to swim towards the performance space, where they find the treasure island. There, they discover a cave, a palm tree, and a series of hidden messages that lead them to the treasure. The treasure consists of biscuits and ‘virgin’ rum, and the stage is set for a pirate party. The performance finishes in an informal, playful setting, with music and dance.

The performance is playful and humorous, which makes it suitable also for an adult audience. Through the questions of the “alternative life styles of pirates” and of “what is the treasure”, it addresses the themes of open-mindedness, tolerance of diversity, and the importance of the journey rather than the destination. The pedagogical potential of the performance is contained also in its interactivity, as it encourages children to learn how to participate, to perform and/or to follow.