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An advent calendar with live performers, Knock Knock invites the audience to venture into a world of Victorian Xmas.  Renee Liang chats to Eve Gordon about The Dust Palace’s latest production.

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It’s the season for advent calendars, and this year there’s a fun arty equivalent. Knock Knock, which opened last week in Auckland and runs until this weekend, is a Christmas cabaret with a twist.  The audience are confronted with eight closed doors.  To start the performance, one of them must knock on a door.  When that act finishes, another knock starts the next act.

Knock Knock, the latest sexy offering from The Dust Palace, combines new cabaret, aerial circus and comedy into a fantastical chocolate-box adventure. The show resides in a fantasy land of Victorian style toys - tin soldiers, porcelain dolls, snow globes.

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How did you come up with the idea for Knock Knock?

I actually don't recall how I came up with the idea... it was one of those ones that is just there!! I love the bit with all the doors in monsters inc... and I love the idea that the audience is implicit... They HAVE to be there for the whole thing to work.

You've scored something of an international coup, with performers Aaron Burr and Shannon McGurgan taking part.  How did you persuade them to be part of the show?

They're both so wonderful... I just asked... and they said yes!!! Yay!!! :D

How long does it take to develop each Dust Palace show, and can you let us in on some of your process?

It takes every second I have from the moment we've committed it putting it on! :) We spend ages talking through the ideas to make sure they all work and flow... some ideas come sooner than others so those ideas can be worked on the floor earlier... The full idea for my solo for this show was only figured out about five days before opening!!!

Why is the Herald Theatre perfect for circus?

There is something in the steep rake of stairs that makes the audience I think feel closer to the performers in the air... :)

Tell me about your set design (by Sarah-Jane Blake).

Sarah-Jane Blake is amazing! She's just moved to NZ and is a wonderful creative master! The set concept had been created but she took it and ran!!!

The audience gets to choose what they see next.  How long does it take before someone gets up the courage to knock on a door?

The last two nights people have been racing up which is a great start!!! :)

What are you working on next?

I can't say just yet!!! :) But it's soooo exciting!!! :)