Then She Fell: Wow!

Did a search and the only thread I could find about, Then She Fell, was regarding a ticket. I am seeing this in 2 weeks and was wondering if anyone here who's seen this production has any thoughts they might wish to share.

Updated On: 3/27/13 at 09:55 PM

I want to see it but have yet to be able to coincide my time off schedule with ticket availability.

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I saw it back in December, during their previous run, so I can't comment on the current version, which I think has been expanded since when I saw it, but I loved it.

I totally agree with the description that it's much more restrictive than SNM, in that you're pretty much led from place to place in a set track rather than have free reign of the place. As a result, though, you get to see all the major scenes and the intimacy makes it seem like a constant one-on-one practically, with none of the sometimes crazy crowds. Pros and cons of each style of presentation, but I totally thought Then She Fell was worth seeing, and am dying to see this run. If only tickets weren't so expensive!

Updated On: 3/11/13 at 12:51 AM

Which is why I have to see it!

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"From my understanding this is Alice In Wonderland as an environmental production set in an Insane Asylum."

Excuse me. Are you sure you're not talking about Wonderland?

I saw the show in its initial run as well and have my ticket to go back in a couple weeks. Thankfully, there was one ticket that popped up on the date I'm going after it had already been taken off the calendar. So I will be sure to re-post once I can compare the two.

I will say though, that this was definitely one of the most deeply affecting, moving, and enlightening theatregoing experiences I have ever had, if not the most. I am a huge SLEEP NO MORE fan - I just had my 9th visit two days ago and have a ticket for this upcoming Saturday - and while I would not say its "better" than SNM (the scope, detail, intricacies, choreography, and atmosphere are still jaw-dropping to me 9 visits in), THEN SHE FELL feels more successful in its intent in regards to how it makes the audience feel thanks to the small group that you're eventually separated from, as opposed to 300+ people crammed into tiny hallways and rooms that you can't avoid. The individual experience may be more restrictive than SNM's, but it is also a necessity in this piece instead of a freak-em-out tactic.

On top of all that - and Brantley pointed this out in his love letter - TSF is actually analyzing and illuminating the dark recesses of Carroll's works, whereas SNM is essentially a straightforward presentation of MACBETH, minus most of the text. There really is no comparison between the two shows other than their being an immersive experience.

Yes, the price is a little daunting with no discount codes in sight, but the group is so small and the cost of production for such a small theatre company is so great, that there really is no other option. And it's worth every penny.

Updated On: 3/11/13 at 11:40 AM

I'm not usually squeamish but Alice in Wonderland + institutionalization + environmental + intimate evokes images of me wanting to run out of the theater mortified from an intense claustrophobic terror.

Then you think about the LAW & ORDER: SVU episode where a rape was plotted and occurred at an environmental theatre presentation, and no one realized it wasn't part of the show. Eek!

I don't know if I could handle any environmental theatre presentation...

Not to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't seen it, but the show isn't disturbing or "insane asylum"y. The hospital ward is more of a framing device than a concept.

bump...

Wondering if anyone has seen both the original and this revised version.

So glad you enjoyed yourself, ARTc! It's really a special evening of theatre. I'm excited to go back tonight. I took a workshop with Third Rail this past Saturday in the space and, while I didn't see the whole building (just the tea party room and the staircase leading downstairs), I'm very impressed by the mood the new location evokes.

I'll be sure to post my thoughts about how it compares once I get home late tonight.

ColorTheHours048, I am envious of your evening tonight. I loved, Then She Fell. Please do post your thoughts about the differences. I was most concerned that practical reasons might have dictated a "pared down" version. I was reassured by two company members that the new - and hopefully permanent - residence of, Then She Fell, is the opposite - an opportunity to grow the piece based on the experiences and lessons learned in its first incarnation.

JoeKv99, "Gorilla" and even "environmental" theater are old terms and perhaps not as articulate as the more recent - post, Sleep No More - term, immersive theater. My apologies for referencing an earlier time in my life when we struggled to "name" unique - non-traditional - forms of theater.

One more point... As Then She Fell only invites 15 audience members per performance, 30 per night (2 performances Tuesday - Sunday). It is hard to get a diverse conversation / thread going here: Most people just either don't know about the piece or haven't seen it. It is frustrating to me knowing that so many of the posters who love(d), Sleep No More, would be enthralled by this different, yet also "alternate form" theater piece.

I highly recommend, Then She Fell. As this performance finds its popularity, it will become near impossible to get one of the rare 15 tickets per performance. Today, they are sold out through June. I am curious to see if the small audience will hinder the spread of word of mouth and therefore ticket sales, or in time, will turn this into the hottest ticket in town.

Read, ColorTheHours048's above comments. After seeing a performance, I wholeheartedly agree with his comments. Then, go! It's brilliant. It's fun. It's provocative!

Updated On: 3/28/13 at 04:19 PM

It's GUERRILLA, people!

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Well, obviously, I loved it and gush gush gush, etc.

The comparison between the previous location and this really isn't all that different. The experience is very much the same because this company has already created a rich story and atmosphere. However, the new space deepens the disorienting effect of the whole piece and truly makes the show feel at home. That's how I would describe it overall: deeper. The hallways seemed to twist in never-ending loops, the stairs always seeming to lead into a new area, it all just worked so perfectly. It was also very interesting to see many of the scenes I saw in my first visit in a different order, with a few new scenes interspersed throughout, and see how that totally changes how you read the show.

Also, I need to have those drinks and snacks again. So delicious.