Synopsis

Punchdrunk, the internationally-acclaimed company that pioneered the breakthrough of immersive theatre in the UK, announces the world premiere of new show Viola’s Room, at the company’s home in Woolwich this May for a limited run.

Barefoot, and wearing headphones, small groups of up to six at a time feel their way through a maze-like installation as an unseen narrator guides them on a sensory journey to reveal a story of innocence lost and obsession unleashed.

Written by Booker Prize-shortlisted Daisy Johnson, Viola’s Room reimagines Barry Pain’s classic gothic mystery The Moon-Slave for a new audience. It distils two decades of Punchdrunk’s immersive practice into an intimate, linear, audio-driven adventure that promises to suffuse the dreams of those who dare to follow the light.

The production is conceived, directed and designed by Artistic Director Felix Barrett, with co-direction by Associate Director Hector Harkness (One Night, Long Ago; The Third Day) and design by Casey Jay Andrews, who was part of the design team on The Burnt City. Working with Punchdrunk for the first time are Lighting Designer Simon Wilkinson (Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Vanishing Point’s Metamorphosis), and Sound Designer Gareth Fry (Complicité’s The Encounter; V&A’s David Bowie Is, Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser and Diva exhibitions).

Photos: Julian Abrams

Review

Imagine being shut in a pitch black room with five strangers… Welcome to Viola’s room.

The latest from Punchdrunk is slightly unusual in that there are no actors performing nearby, enticing you to follow them. Or are there? Throughout the experience, the feeling that you’re being watched, or that someone is going to jump out and scare you, is pretty intense!

Viola’s Room plays on the senses to encourage you to have a fully immersive experience. Throughout the journey, you wear headphones with music and a storyteller; when combined with the fact that you’re barefoot and are plunged into darkness on multiple occasions, it’s creepy and intense!

The sultry sounds of Helena Bonham-Carter take you out of the daily grind, and fling you into a dark fairytale, that feels loosely inspired by The 12 Dancing Princesses as well as The Moon-Slave.

Your heartbeat is guaranteed to increase rapidly as you are entirely at the mercy of the voice – every movement is controlled by it and you must follow the instructions (and the light) as you navigate the labyrinth, or risk… well, that’s a secret!

As with all Punchdrunk performances, there is plenty to explore and analyse as you move through the experience, but be quick because you don’t have long! As for the sets, they have the usual finesse you expect, that makes this a truly magical experience.

My headphones did lose the narration at several times, but overall this did not affect the story too much, because the music really elevates the finale’s impact.

Intimate, intense and intimidating – this is immersive theatre that will stay with you long after the final crescendo.

Thanks to Bread and Butter PR for my ticket. Opinions my own.