I went last week and I can't stop thinking about it. I loved it. I thought it was very well done. If you are on the fence about going just do it. Have an absinth punch and enjoy yourself.
I think it is open ended because they are adding new things such as the rooftop bar. It wouldn't make sense for them to close as long as ticket sales are as they are.
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
I'm looking to my Sleep No More aficionados for some serious help!
I've seen the show once - last year, and going this Friday for my second time. In my first outing, I followed Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff for their entire tracks.
I'm going with friends from out-of-town, who have gone twice but have never managed to catch the witch's rave and so I'd love to make sure they see it.
A couple of questions: 1. I have the earliest entry time, and am thinking my best bet is to pick up Macbeth in the ballroom. Which floor is it on? Is it on the basement level? I know it encompasses two floors (if not mistaken) with the main dance floor and the surrounding balcony. I'd like to be able to get off the elevator and take the stairs up or down, just need to know to which floor.
2. I'd love suggestions on which other characters I should follow for the most exciting experience possible. After following Macbeth for the first hour, I think it spoiled me because I was a little underwhelmed with the ladies' tracks. I was thinking of following the boy witch and/or maybe Banquo. But I'd love to get any suggestions on any "must follow" people.
1. Yes, the ballroom is on the basement level, with a mezzanine overlooking the ballroom floor.
You will find Macbeth in the mezzanine during the ballroom dance, as he does not participate, though Lady Macbeth will glance up at him every once in a while during the dance scene.
2. If you enjoyed following Macbeth, try following Malcolm, Macduff, or Banquo for full tracks. All three are pretty active. Malcolm especially, he is often running between the first and fourth floors.
Boy Witch is very popular as well. If you wish to follow him, do so for the first loop; the crowds become too thick later on.
To help me identify some of these characters, can you confirm if: 1. Banquo - he's the one at the banquet with the bloodied forehead, and has that fight choreography with Macbeth in the room with the cardboard boxes 2. Macduff - he's the one briefly hoisted on people's arms during the opening ballroom, and later suffocated by Macbeth with the pillow 3. Malcolm - ??
I saw the show months ago (and have been dying to go back. Damn you California) and have yet to find out who two characters were. I was following a woman character, she had a suitcase and I caught her as she walked into the parlor room, walked towards the back, and unlocked a door. In that room was a little bedroom, she unpacked her suitcase and slept on the bed. A minute or two later a man comes out of the wardrobe and watches her and touches her clothes I think. He then goes to the room with thread and scissors in the window (I assumed he was a tailor) and has a few confrontations in that room (one with another man and then again with the same woman, but this time she was awake).
Anyone know what I'm talking about? Can anyone explain those scenes to me? It seemed like he was significant and in on something.
I too live in California and have been dying to go back. The only logical thing is to move the entire thing here. Yep. Do that.
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
I had hoped Punchdrunk would have opened something else somewhere in the US by now. After their premier in Massachusetts completed, they announced they would be back two years from then. It has happened yet.
Zoot, the woman you are describing is Mrs. DeWinter, now known as Agnes Naismith. She wanders around the hotel in search of her sister and, as far as I know, doesn't actually do much dancing.
Not sure about the man. I know which scene you're talking about but i haven't seen it since my first time and don't remember.
Agnes Naismith is the one who is staying in that parlor with the pink walls. She travels with a suitcase, a clutch, and a scarf she usually wears around her shoulders. In the clutch is a photo of her missing sister.
The tailor, J. Fulton, is the one who comes in while she's sleeping. He tucks her in. At a different point in the cycle, he tries to woo her and is rejected.
His character later on has a confrontation with the taxidermist.
I'm going to have a chance to see this once and just once; most likely on a monday night with a 7:15 start time. I'm recovering from a minor back injury and am a little concerned about the physical nature of the show but I figure if I'm careful I can still make the most out of it. Any thoughts or tips to get maximum enjoyment?
Rest up beforehand and be careful especially if youre having back issues since I find there's a lot of running/rushing around. But luckily there's no shortage of places to sit and rest if you need to. A couple times I took a break and sat at some desks and went trough stacks of papers and documents.
For a 7:15pm ticket, you can actually get in line earlier (like 6:30-6:45pm) and come in with the 7pm tickets to maximize time in the set.
If you require rest: - You can go back to the entry bar (Manderley) on the 2nd floor to sit and rest, listen to the band, and/or talk to the fortune teller Annabella. Just ask a steward (black mask) how to get back and they will help you. - The Manderley Bar only opens back up once everyone is in the show (the 8pm folks sometimes don't get all the way in until 8:30 or so). - The 4th floor and hotel lobby both have lots of places to sit and rest. You'll just have to get out of the way when scenes happen (I'm thinking the funeral home and detective agency specifically, there's really nowhere to sit in the tailor shop or taxidermist's). - Be careful trying to sit down in the replica bar on the 4th floor (where the witches' rave happens) because there's lots of stage blood/chocolate on the seats. - In fact you can see a lot of action if you hang out in the hotel lobby for a full cycle. You can get to the hotel lobby by using the staircase behind the banquet table in the ballroom.
I saw a woman with a cane there last time I went, so I guess if she can do it, it's possible. You just need to be cognizant of your own limits. I imagine you're not going to be chasing characters down dark hallways and up/down many flights of stairs (i.e. don't try to follow Macbeth or Malcolm).
Eh, It's kind of a day-to-day thing. I can walk quickly, but standing still for long periods of time is tough. Depends how I feel. My plan was to follow one specific character (I was thinking MacBeth or Lady MacBeth.) Given that this is the only chance I have to see the show, I want to explore it as much as possible given my physical limits