Blind Date

26 September 2012 | 4:45 am | Matt O'Neill

Big One Little One's Blind Date will hit each audience member differently. A single-audient work wherein participants are led blindfolded around the city on a one-on-one date with one of the company's creatives, it's a performance experience largely (but not exclusively) defined by each audience member.

This reviewer enjoyed his experience immensely. Beginning the date eyes-closed, sitting by a fountain in Fortitude Valley on a Friday afternoon, I'm greeted by performer Bren. He kindly hands me a blindfold, explains the work and proceeds to chat amiably with me as he leads me through the city.

In a credit to the confidence generosity of Bren's performance, I'm not at all alarmed by having no idea where I am or where I'm going - and, oddly, I find the utter detachment and anonymity of the scenario quite liberating. My date with Bren actually proves therapeutic - allowing me to discuss and contemplate things that had been stressing me out for weeks.

There are occasional flourishes of craft to break up the chatter and travel. Some work, some don't - being led to some swings and spontaneously waltzing outside a fountain is fun; planting seeds to weepy indie-rock a little naff - but that will change with each audience member. Overall, it's a wonderful experience and thoroughly recommended.