Burnout Paradise at Astor Place Theatre

“… a jam-packed experience!” – New York Theatre Guide

When you come to experience this one for yourself, you’ll have expectations. You’ll have preconceived ideas, and eventually questions. At first – what is this? What is it all about? And then – whoah, will they be able to do it? Will they make it? Will they get it done before the time runs out? 

At that point your jaw will be on the floor, you’ll be out of breath from laughter, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, your mind will be totally blown, you’ll be feeling the extreme energy, the recklessness, the euphoria, the optimism – and eventually the exhaustion that comes with running the rat race every single day. And then your ideas will change – you will realize that it all boils down to themes of modern stresses, maybe hitting a bit too close to home. Following that, your expectations will be totally and utterly shattered. You’ll realize that it was much, much better than you ever could have imagined. And because tomorrow night’s show will obviously be different from tonight’s one, you’ll come again – and you won’t feel one bit sorry about it! 

That’s the thing with Pony Cam’s wildly exciting, thrilling, uniquely competitive, comedic – yet hitting true, immersive physical theatre event – and you’ll be all over this pure on-the-edge-of-your-seat stuff! So count your lucky stars, because Pony Cam’s insanely popular Burnout Paradise is coming to the Astor Place Theatre for an extended run due to popular demand! 

Burnout Paradise Tickets

“It’s a lot of fun, we cheer and whoop as the tasks are completed or not.” – Theatre Now

SYNOPSIS

“In ‘Burnout Paradise’, Pony Cam Collective has created a powerful, thought-provoking piece that is as hilariously entertaining as it is exhausting.” – A Young(ish) Perspective

Just think about this: four performers on treadmills that never stop running. They are allocated certain tasks that they have to complete – and while it might start out simple, it escalates quickly into the impossible. The challenges are exactly that – challenges for the performers’ bodies, minds, and spirits, some admin-related, some survival, some for leisure, and some for performance, but all tied by a golden thread: adulting. 

So who can cook a three-course meal for audience members while running on a treadmill? Or writing and submitting a grant application, or dance, sing, or reciting Shakespeare while also having to run at an incline? How about some everyday personal tasks and chores on a list, such as painting your nails, washing your hair, solving a Rubik’s Cube, packing a puzzle, or dusting off? 

Can it be done? Will it be done? And if so, how? 

“It’s packed with suspense: will they succeed?” – BroadwayWorld

CREATIVE TEAM & CAST

Burnout Paradise is an award-winning theatre initiative by five creative minds from around Australia with a collective interest in physical, experimental, and unconventional theatre. Whatever rules exist within a theatrical space, they break. Any expectations that might exist, they smash. Concepts of what theatre should be, are completely redefined. 

The group of performers in Burnout Paradise comprise the incredibly talented Claire Bird, Ava Campbell, William Strom, Dominic Weintraub, and Hugo Williams. 

The renowned creative team behind the wildly inimitable Burnout Paradise includes the talents of scenic and video designer Jim Findlay and Pony Cam, lighting designer Dans Maree Sheehan, and Cody Spencer, the Tony-Award winning sound designer behind many acclaimed productions, including The Outsiders. 

“Beyond the physical comedy and absurdity, ‘Burnout Paradise’ offers a sharp critique of the rat race that defines much of contemporary society.” – Everything Theatre

HISTORY & LEGACY

“… the show promises to be entertaining, cathartic, form-pushing, and even joyful.” – Stir

Pony Cam’s Burnout Paradise is a sizzling, new physical theatre show that simulates the pressures of modern adult life in a unique, highly competitive setting. The purpose is to, with a fun and fast-paced event, reflect the chaos of the reality of the rat race – starting from the “recklessness, euphoria, and optimism that occur before burnout”. People are watching, tasks are completed often with a hilarious outcome – sometimes not at all, and then eventually (or not at all): burnout. Burnout Paradise is hysterically funny and eye-opening at the same time, every night different from the previous due to the unpredictability of the tasks and their execution. 

Pony Cam’s Burnout Paradise had its origins in the creative collective’s university studies, and premiered the concept at Melbourne’s RISING festival and Melbourne Fringe in 2024. The physical theatre event was wildly successful, and the group embarked on worldwide tours, most notably its Edinburgh Fringe Festival run, with even more success.  

In 2026, it’s New York’s turn! 

“Just terrific. Start to end.” – Show Score

THE ASTOR PLACE THEATRE

The Astor Place Theatre, located on 434 Lafayette Street in the NoHo section of Manhattan, is a favorite for all who enjoy top-tier entertainment in a more intimate setting. The theatre is nestled in between four connected buildings in the historic Colonnade Row – and is home to the highly acclaimed Blue Man Group. 

With that up close and personal feeling, the venue’s reputation for shining the light on aspiring and experimental playwrights, and its central location close to plentiful pubs, restaurants, and cafés, anything you experience at the Astor Place Theatre promises to be simply off-the-charts and like witnessing history in the making. The venue features immaculate sound and lighting systems, fantastic amenities, pin-drop acoustics, and perfect-sight lines, alongside luxurious seating for up to 300 patrons spread across an orchestra floor and a balcony – perfect for a cozy, most enjoyable evening at the theatre! 

“‘Burnout Paradise’ is not to be missed. Every show will be different, so see it twice!” – Keith Gow