Punchdrunk - Viola's Room
Following on from the huge success that was Burnt City, Punchdrunk are back with a fully immersive gothic tale. Put yourself in Viola’s shoes in this audio driven adventure.
Before you enter you are asked to remove your shoes and socks, although this seems like a strange request, as you work your way through the experience everything makes sense. There are so many different textures and smells along the way enhancing and heightening your senses that really help to bring this story to life. This dark bedtime tale is voiced by Helena Bonham Carter, who is best known for some iconic and mysterious characters and the casting is spot on.
Keeping the anticipation and the suspense going throughout, she shades the piece perfectly as the light fades and you are plunged in to the unknown.
Unlike past productions where you are free to roam, Viola’s Room is guided and with up to six people per slot, whether one big group or total strangers, you must stay together at all times. The production is light and sound driven and I must say they are the real stars of the show! You are given a head set and a briefing as you enter and the audio quality is spot on. The sound differs from ear to ear giving the sense that you are not alone on this journey.
Everything is perfectly timed down to the second, and the musical interludes and underscoring are the perfect fit to this puzzle. The sets are incredible, whether small and intricate or large scale, the level of detail is amazing, sometimes leaving you to question whether you are still pushing forward or going round in circles. Each element of the experience is clever and has been well thought out.
I did thoroughly enjoy the experience, there is so much to see and hear that I could definitely see it again and find new things. If you are a fan of the theatre company it’s a must see but know that this is very different to the previous Punchdrunk interactive productions you may have seen. This sensory adventure runs at 45 minutes.
This show was reviewed on the 3rd June 2024 and runs in Woolwich, S E London until the 18th August 2024. Tickets available here: Book | Punchdrunk
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Photo credit: Julian Abrams
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