Punchdrunk

Punchdrunk refers to a style of immersive theatre that emphasises audience participation and interaction within unconventional spaces, often blurring the lines between performers and spectators. Performers can interact with the audience and have 1 to 1 conversations whilst still being in character. The whole purpose of punchdrunk theatre is to create a different world which the audience have to explore. Often there are different performance spaces which the audience can explore in no particular order.

Punchdrunk focuses heavily on the 5 senses and try to create a mood and a story (sometimes not needing to perform anything). They make the audience members immerse themselves into the world by, usually, using very dim lighting and different sound effects or music.

In addition to this the audience would be masked to prevent you seeing the emotions of the other audience members and you would be separated from whoever you came with. The purpose of this is to isolate you from the rest of the audience so that you are able to create your own story and not be influenced by anyone else.

Furthermore, sometimes there will be a break as punchdrunk performances are usually long (around 3 hours). During this break you can go to a bar where drinks will be served. However the baristas will always be the actors you saw previously and they will stay in character so that you stay immersed in the world that you have imagined.

Punchdrunk usually try to use very powerful smells and music as they believe these two sense are the most influential in a dimly-lit unknown area. Fir example music or sound effects can easily add a whole new layer of tension to scene; or can create amusing effects if used as a jump scare (for example when a person lift something or finds something).

Some performances can be done in abandoned buildings, or some are even done outside, for example; 'The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable'. This is on of Punchdrunk's opportunities. Because it is so immersive, it could be played almost anywhere as long as the place has the right mood.