"Walking theatre" on the rise

ALTHOUGH indoor theatres can now host audiences at full capacity again, not everyone wants to go back inside. Some people prefer to experience storytelling out in the open, under the sun or moon, with the cityscape or natural environment forming the backdrop. 

Outdoor theatre that requires the audience to move from place to place is called “walking theatre”, “promenade theatre” or "ambulatory theatre". It had been a useful solution during the pandemic when theatres were limited by the number of people they could admit and audiences had to maintain a certain distance from each other.

But it’s become a full-on trend now, with several theatre companies creating shows specifically for the restless types who want to be out and about with the performers, instead of staying in their seats for 90 minutes.