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Post by Stephen on Jan 25, 2022 23:07:04 GMT
I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that on this occasion See tickets might help you out!
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jan 26, 2022 11:49:05 GMT
I applied for a job with Punchdrunk recently and their application form asks, “Do you identify as disabled” and then “Are you registered disabled” (something that does not exist in this country, and why do disabled people have to prove they are disabled on a freaking equalities monitoring form?) so Punchdrunk’s awareness of disability seems to be based in the 1950s, if not earlier!
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Post by asfound on Jan 26, 2022 19:00:55 GMT
Given mask compliance in the UK compared to what I've seen in other countries, I'm not surprised they don't offer exemptions - it would probably end up a bit of free for all and spoil the overall design and experience.
That being said, it probably wouldn't hurt to offer a couple of relaxed/ASD friendly/mask free sessions, although I'm not sure how it would really work unless everybody wears some kind of alternative identifier.
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Post by Dave B on Mar 17, 2022 10:07:20 GMT
£25 tickets for Greenwich locals.
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Post by Steffi on Mar 19, 2022 19:30:55 GMT
It is a „regular“ Punchdrunk show so no, it won’t be possible to see everything in one show. I don’t want to spoil anything for those that have never seen a Punchdrunk show before though so won’t go into detail. :-) And as far as I know the recommended face masks are just that - recommended. Any face mask should be fine (medical or cloth). But considering there will be several hundred people roaming freely I personally will be wearing a FFP2 mask. |
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Post by stagebyte on Apr 2, 2022 0:05:27 GMT
When they say a mask ‘alongside the Punchdrunk mask’
Will we be supplied with a theatrical mask like I’ve seen in photos of their other productions?
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Post by Steffi on Apr 2, 2022 7:20:31 GMT
When they say a mask ‘alongside the Punchdrunk mask’ Will we be supplied with a theatrical mask like I’ve seen in photos of their other productions? They provide you with their signature Punchdrunk mask (the venetian type mask they have been using in other productions). You wear it on top of whatever face covering you bring yourself (can be a cloth or a medical mask). |
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Post by stagebyte on Apr 2, 2022 16:00:52 GMT
When they say a mask ‘alongside the Punchdrunk mask’ Will we be supplied with a theatrical mask like I’ve seen in photos of their other productions? They provide you with their signature Punchdrunk mask (the venetian type mask they have been using in other productions). You wear it on top of whatever face covering you bring yourself (can be a cloth or a medical mask). Thank you for replying Is the Venetian one mandatory? |
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Post by Steffi on Apr 2, 2022 16:37:21 GMT
They provide you with their signature Punchdrunk mask (the venetian type mask they have been using in other productions). You wear it on top of whatever face covering you bring yourself (can be a cloth or a medical mask). Thank you for replying Is the Venetian one mandatory? Yes, it’s part of Punchdrunk’s show concept and has to be worn by every audience member. Basically its there to distinguish between audience and staff (performers and in show stewards) while in the performance space. You can take off the Venetian mask whenever you enter the bar which is open from about one hour into the performance. |
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Post by partytentdown on Apr 6, 2022 9:36:12 GMT
Some thoughts on 'Burnt City' a.k.a. 'Wafting Around a Warehouse'... spoilers akimbo. {Spoiler - click to view}
For context, I consider myself an admirer of Punchdrunk's work - I have seen most of their work in the last 15 years at least once - and have come to realise I much prefer their smaller projects (which of course are harder to get tickets for).
This has the usual Punchdrunk aesthetic and their new self-owned venue appears very impressive (when you squint), albeit pretty much carpeted throughout which does remove a certain sense of otherworldliness.
Now - take the following whinge with a pinch of salt, because I am rather angry at myself: I discovered after the show that I had completely missed an entire section of the experience. It's divided into two areas - Mycenae and Troy - and you're in some kind of 'time mix up' between the two, as you encounter scenes from Ancient times mixed with some 1920s archaeologists who have gotten involved in some kind of mythical misadventures.
You are led in to the building via a 'museum tour' of ancient artefacts which, I think, give hints about the story you're about to see (but it was so dark I didn't take much of it in, and at this stage it's not even clear what you're seeing is relevant) and (it turns out) you end up in one of either Mycenae or Troy. I think I was in Mycenae, but there is nothing to confirm this. It's a big area on two levels with a couple of sandy side areas. There is a long table on the top level/balcony upon which various scenes play out and there are some cool light displays. Apparently, the Troy area is more modern, with a bar, neon lights, hotel rooms etc - BUT I CAN'T CONFIRM BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE IT! I just didn't find it. I had no idea it existed. I had no idea who any of the characters were or what was going on. I only have a passing understanding of Greek mythology so I would say 99% of what was going on was lost to me. To be honest, I hate to say it, but I was a little bored after the first hour when - clearly missing 50% of the performance space, despite doing my best to take myself off and explore - I started to see the same scenes repeated. There was a 'final' dance as such, but there didn't seem to be a clear end point, and my other half (who did find 'Troy') reported that he didn't even know it was over. He had spent a pleasant 30 minutes in the bar watching a cabaret singer, all of which was a surprise to me.
This morning I have spent some time looking at the fan Facebook groups for the show, and it seems there is a small army of people who see these shows 10, 15, 20, 100 times (presumably they are lottery winners or have hefty trust funds). They have Google docs plotting out the narrative arcs and character journeys and maps of the secret routes and places where you might experience an elusive 'one to one' experience. Someone noted that they always take a map and a notebook and try and follow a different actor each time. Presumably these are the people I witnessed trailing the actors at an uncomfortable distance and marathon-sprinting after them each time they moved on to the point that made me think I was always missing out on something because I didn't have the energy to leg it around for 3 hours.
Should I really have to do all this background reading to understand what's going on, or to even know that there is more to the experience than I managed to find? Do I have to go more than once? At £80-ish a time, I'm not sure I can afford to go back and 'correct my mistakes'. I know the mantra is 'you get a personal experience' but I just don't think I knew enough to get more than a passing glance at the sort of stuff I've seen from them many times before - some albeit impressive interpretative dance and some scantily-clad people swooshing sand around as if trying to imbue meaning (but, I suspect, actually to fill time). I was lucky enough to get tickets for their last London outing, Kaberoi, which was a sort of treasure hunt around London, and a lot of the 'Greek Gods return' stuff was very reminiscent of that one.
I have been told (by the Facebook fans) that the show changes substantially throughout previews, which is understandable, but they also report that the show isn't even fully complete yet - there are empty areas where scenes will be added, there are minimal one-to-one experiences until the main story is fully realised. Last night there was even a camera man and a photographer (with staff members telling them what to film next) which broke the sense of escapism somewhat.
Anyway - these are my thoughts. I am a grumpy old man, maybe, but I feel like I shouldn't come away feeling disappointed because I didn't have the inside knowledge to make the most of it or that I should have waited to get the most bang from my buck, or too stupid to understand who anyone was/what was going on because I don't have hours to pore over wikipedia articles. |
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Post by Steffi on Apr 6, 2022 11:51:44 GMT
Missing a whole area is indeed unfortunate. I tend to follow characters for a full loop because I enjoy experiencing their narrative. That means I usually end up being "taken" around the set by a character.
(Just to point out: I do not follow uncomfortably close - the lack of spacial awareness of some people is one of my biggest pet peeves in Punchdrunk shows)
I went to the first 4 previews of Burnt City fully expecting it to be chaos. And I actually left the first preview being quite impressed by how polished the show was. It was clearly a work in progress and things went wrong (probably even more than was visible from an audience point of view). But for a first preview of an immersive show of that scale it was a slick performance.
I'm watching another bunch of performances this weekend and am looking forward to seeing what changes have been made. There were significant changes made throughout the 4 very first shows I watched - a lot of them had to do with audience flow. And one on one performances had not been added at that point but are slowly being implemented now from what I have been told.
So far I have always gone into a Punchdrunk show with minimal to no research. I knew nothing about The Drowned Man before my first visit. When I went to see Sleep no more for the first time I knew it was loosely based on Macbeth. With Burnt City all I knew was it was some version of the fall of Troy. I generally don't think excessive research is required before attending a Punchdrunk show. But I also think going into any of their masked shows for the first time wanting to make sense of the narrative will end in frustration.
Hopefully you can give the show another chance after opening night. They will be doing £25 rush tickets through Time Out if that is an option for you.
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Apr 6, 2022 22:56:53 GMT
I completely agree partytentdown 100% with EVERYTHING that you've said - it's not obvious at all and I missed Troy just like you. I spent so long wandering about and because of the double mask thing, felt even more fatigued and equally frustrated that I couldn't follow characters. I just didn't get it. I consider myself fairly with it when I go to the theatre but I was genuinely so confused and felt of sorts. I tried going out of my way too, not following the crowds but to my own detriment it seems. It was overcrowded too and felt very hot. I deliberately planned my outfit as remember being so hot at The Drowned Man (that was in the summer!) and despite wearing less layers, was still overheating. Please don't feel stupid or like you're being grumpy. I don't think it's a lot to ask for the producers to think of their audiences especially the amount they are charging. The entrance should have been signposted way more clearly OR lit up. It's not as if you can ask either as you're encouraged not to talk and to make your own journey / split up if you're with someone. I'm all for being a fan but it's coming across so snobby on some of these Facebook fan groups when others have also pointed out this isn't clear. I saw someone scribbling away and was so confused why they were. It feels very in-the-know and doesn't feel accessible for people who are not familiar with Punchdrunk or repeat attendees. Not a patch on The Drowned Man - I know you shouldn't compare but at least that was not in the dark the whole time. I would get in touch with Punchdrunk and raise your concerns. I have just so they know. I'm very disappointed and the whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth. It's feeling rather elitist. Such a shame. |
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Post by sh on Apr 7, 2022 14:52:46 GMT
I'm all for being a fan but it's coming across so snobby on some of these Facebook fan groups when others have also pointed out this isn't clear. I saw someone scribbling away and was so confused why they were. It feels very in-the-know and doesn't feel accessible for people who are not familiar with Punchdrunk or repeat attendees. The show is still in previews so the person you saw scribbling notes is almost certainly a member of the creative team. This happens in previews of any show but is perhaps more noticeable when the audience is moving around in a Punchdrunk show than it would be in a seated auditorium. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 7, 2022 16:52:50 GMT
Sounds like it’s dividing opinion… poll added!
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Post by caa on Apr 8, 2022 7:51:33 GMT
This reminds me why I find going to a Punkdrunk show rather annoying, any advice on how to find Troy?
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Post by mrnutz on Apr 8, 2022 8:55:58 GMT
I'm really torn on this and withholding my rating for now. Background: I am (/ was?) a huge Punchdrunk fan and have seen the majority of their productions, big and small, since The Masque of the Red Death in 2007.
I saw The Burnt City at the first Saturday show (probably 3rd / 4th preview), and fully appreciate the work develops and evolves over time.
HOWEVER. I think there should be difference between a preview and a 'work-in-progress', and if the work is still going through considerable change it should be priced accordingly. This was priced as a preview, yet I heard they were experimenting with major changes (an entirely new finale at the show I saw) from night to night.
I think this is some of Punchdrunk's least accessible and most disappointing work to date. In my opinion, a show should not require multiple visits to 'get it'. The fact that many people seem to be missing an entire half of the set should be a major concern to PD. Personally I didn't have problems going from Troy to Mycenae, but there is a clearly an issue here.
I'm going again in a few weeks, so will rate and update my opinion after that...
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Post by mrnutz on Apr 8, 2022 9:08:00 GMT
Also, I'd suggest this thread is moved to the 'Opera and Dance' section - it's definitely not a play and there is minimal dialogue.
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Post by partytentdown on Apr 8, 2022 9:52:51 GMT
This reminds me why I find going to a Punkdrunk show rather annoying, any advice on how to find Troy? Well, it seems some people start there anyway. But apparently the easiest way from Mycenae is {Spoiler - click to view}
on the upper level/balcony where the long table is, go to the end with the 'bedroom' and somewhere round/behind there is a door leading a corridor (the corridor apparently isn't 'dressed' much so many people assume it's a staff area, but it isn't. Be warned that some people have said once they go through, it can be hard to get back, so explore both areas thoroughly before you change! |
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Post by zahidf on Apr 8, 2022 9:54:28 GMT
I spent most my time in Troy and only got to Mycenae for the last hour
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Post by Steffi on Apr 8, 2022 11:40:26 GMT
This reminds me why I find going to a Punkdrunk show rather annoying, any advice on how to find Troy? When in Mycenae (the space with the long table on the mezzanine level) follow any of the soldier type men and they will lead you to Troy eventually.
Alternatively when in Mycenae look for the big stairs that lead up to the Mezzanine level (you can’t miss those). Walk away from those and through the doors on the other end of the space. There’s a long corridor that looks really bare that leads to Troy (there are some signs saying “To Troy” in there but they’re easily missed). |
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Post by stagebyte on Apr 10, 2022 21:09:45 GMT
I’m going to this on Tuesday and just got the email to tell you what to expect. There are a lot of trigger warnings and my friend is now saying she doesn’t want to go.
From the posts above I’m kind of regretting it myself. If there’s no linear way to view the action can you really just find yourself wandering around.
Im Also disappointed to hear it’s not even finished yet?
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Post by stagebyte on Apr 10, 2022 21:11:25 GMT
What’s so special about Troy and what advice to give a newbie about following actors or just going my own path.
For the price I would like to think I don’t have to repeat view to feel I’ve experienced a PD show
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Post by Steffi on Apr 11, 2022 3:14:11 GMT
What’s so special about Troy and what advice to give a newbie about following actors or just going my own path. For the price I would like to think I don’t have to repeat view to feel I’ve experienced a PD show Troy is a more detailed space with lots of different rooms. There’s a lot to explore there even when not following a performer. Mycenae is a mostly wide and open. Lots of scenes there are quite cinematic and look beautiful (I love watching things happening downstairs up from the mezzanine level). |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Apr 11, 2022 9:58:53 GMT
I’m going to this on Tuesday and just got the email to tell you what to expect. There are a lot of trigger warnings and my friend is now saying she doesn’t want to go. From the posts above I’m kind of regretting it myself. If there’s no linear way to view the action can you really just find yourself wandering around. Im Also disappointed to hear it’s not even finished yet? OH, tell me about it. I reached out to SEE Tickets as been going through pet bereavements last year and they refused to refund. Don't rate their customer service at all. I'm thankful the most I saw was some nudity - that's it. It is also super dark just bear that in mind. I was literally wondering around and around and around and around.... |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 11, 2022 10:25:27 GMT
Having read about it here and seen some YouTube reviews of this I have to say it sounds rather smug and “up itself”.
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