A couple of decades and more ago, the Cable Car was my commute from Kelburn to the city and back. I became bemused that people would flock from cruise ships and even other parts of NZ to take the 5-minute ride. Of course the view from the top, the Cable Car Museum and the nearby Carter Observatory and upper reaches of the Botanical Gardens add to the attraction. Upgrades this century have seen a tunnel ribbed with fairy lights and a mural painted at the Lambton Quay terminal to improve the tourist experience.

This month, whether you are a regular commuter or a wide-eyed visitor, it certainly sounds intriguing to be promised The Most Pleasurable Cable Car Ride You’ve Ever Had – as one of the ‘What if the City was a Theatre?’ events. The publicity promises “music, sensory experiences and connection” facilitated by Sensonauts founder Katie Martin, with musician Rosie Langaber.  

When I take the first trip up, just before 5.30pm, they are setting up their sound gear. The post-workday commuters are oblivious, variously wearing small earbuds or large headphones and/or scrolling on their smart phones. So far so every-day.  

As a privileged comp-ticketed reviewer, I take three more rides to get the experiences and return to base. (See here for how to get 20% off tickets if you are going specifically to have this ‘most pleasurable ride’.)

The down trip normally has fewer passengers, probably heading into the city for evening work or to meet up for drinks, a meal and/or entertainment. I’d suggest the soothing voice asking us to let go tensions and relax, etc (as if this was the start of a yoga class) and the reverberant spacey music may be more appropriate for the ride away from the city if the target market is office workers.  

On the other hand, the jaunty piano accordion music and tasty treats offered on the ascending journey may be just the ticket for weary nine-to-fivers. Either way, I see no sign of headphones or smart phones. And even the most regular commuter may find themselves more aware of the fairy-lit tunnel or the large wall mural on this trip – not that the performers incorporate them in their activities.

Obviously promising The Most Pleasurable Cable Car Ride You’ve Ever Had is a huge claim to live up to and we would have to be naïve to take it literally. So what do we expect – and will our expectations be entertainingly subverted? What does the word ‘pleasure’ denote anyway?

I guess there are all sorts of things to consider about invading people’s personal spaces – especially when many on board will not be there for the ‘show’ per se. But for those who are there specifically for it, it may feel underwhelming. Yet, on alighting, punters seem happy enough to have had the experience – who knows how to interpret those slightly bewildered smiles …  

By comparison, Java Dance’s Back of the Bus, which started its hour-long journey in 2008 and played the Edinburgh Fringe in 2016, set a high bar for in-transit shows on public transport (in their case a trip specifically designated for paying festival customers).  

(Note: Cable Car Duets, which pairs a dancer and musician on each trip, is a weekend event which has elected not to have just one part reviewed as opposed to the whole suite.) 

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