Sleep No More was absolutely incredible. This eerie combination of fun house, ballet, and theater was an all-sensory immersion into the world of Macbeth, provided Macbeth was a film-noir murder-mystery. I know in my last post I mistakenly said it was an interactive Hamlet, but I was, obviously, somewhat confused. So much the better. The Scottish Play translated well into this style, having so many iconic scenes that it was quite possible to figure out what was going on, which character you had discovered, even without the use of dialog. Plus, its so delightfully creepy. Perfect, in fact, for this spooky time of year. :-)
Here's how it works: You make a "reservation" at the McKittrick Hotel and show up some time around then. As soon as you walk in the door, you are completely disoriented in a dark, foreboding maze. (I expected someone to jump out at me, but this is not a haunted hike.) Once you escape the maze you are transported back in time to a roarin' twenties jazz bar. Beautiful women in long dresses and men in tuxes serve you cocktails until your group is called to enter the "experience."
When you are called, you are given an ugly skull mask (don't take it off. Ever.) and told that speaking is forbidden. You are sent up in the elevator (they recommend traveling alone, but its not a requirement. I went with my boyfriend.) and set you free. The hotel is incredible. Four and a half entire floors are filled with detailed sets to explore. Open up the drawers in the desks and you will find desperate letters from Lady Mac to Macbeth about their planned murders. Every room (and there are countless) is filled with props and books and photographs to open up and pour through. There is a hospital, a graveyard, an entire town complete with shops you can enter, and even more that I will not give away. And then there are the actors. You stumble upon them accidentally in your wanderings. (They are the ones not wearing masks) and follow them (if you can keep up) to witness some of the most iconic scenes from Shakespeare's Macbeth played out almost without words. But don't worry if you don't totally know the story: the mystery is just as intriguing if you can't pick out "oh this is such and such scene." I'd compare the style of acting more to a ballet or acrobatic show. Everything is highly physical, and set to film-noir music. Some of the surprises will take your breath away. Now, I won't describe any of the individual scenes to you, because that would really ruin it, and its something you simply MUST SEE FOR YOURSELF. If you become disinterested with a particular character, just leave them and find someone else that interests you. Note: There is no effort on the part of the production to "tell the story" of Macbeth. Not every scene is presented, only the really well-known ones. There is no plot-line to follow, so if you are expecting to discover some sort of linear chronology to it, don't. Everything is done at your own pace and according to your own curiosities. Although it helped that I did know the story. (I never thought I'd say this, but peruse a spark-notes before you go.) I'm sure I didn't see all of it, and Joe and I stayed in the hotel for two and a half hours! When you feel like you're ready to leave, you simply make your way back to the bar, where you are welcome to hang out and enjoy the live music (and actually talk) for as long as you wish. This is a great way to wind down and discuss what you saw with your friends, and get rid of that creepy feeling before you go. Keep your mask handy though, because you are always welcome to go back in. (You didn't see that room? Oh I have to show you...)
I had read reviews that said there is some nudity during the performance, but I didn't see any. If there is, it is brief. Still, I personally wouldn't bring a very young kid because.. hello... its Macbeth. It's murder. It's scary. I did see kids in there though, and they seemed, for the most part, okay. There are also ushers in black masks in each room happy to escort you directly out if you get too uncomfortable. But as I said before, this isn't a Halloween haunted hike. The intention isn't to scare you so much as really make you experience the drama and suspense of The Scottish Play. It's really unreal.
Sleep No More was conceived by the British experimental theater troupe Punchdrunk and is playing only in New York City. If you ever get the chance to come to the Big Apple in the near future, I highly recommend making your hotel reservation at the McKittrick. (No, unfortunately, you can't really stay there.) Reservations are expensive (about $100 a pop) but completely worth it. (Personally, I cannot imagine the enormous cost of mounting a production like this one.) Joe and I have already vowed to return in a few months. Anyone wishing to join us, let me know.
Here is the link to the show's website:
Until next time...
Remember the Bard's great words, "All the world's a stage."
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