Punchdrunk to enchant audiences with new immersive production Viola’s Room this May

Punchdrunk, the UK’s trailblazer in immersive theatre, is set to captivate audiences once again with its latest production, Viola’s Room. Scheduled for a limited engagement at their Woolwich home this May, the show promises an innovative sensory experience, guided by light and sound. Written by the Booker Prize-shortlisted author Daisy Johnson, Viola’s Room offers a contemporary take on Barry Pain’s classic gothic mystery, The Moon-Slave, marking a significant milestone in Punchdrunk’s two decades of immersive theatrical practice.

Previews for Viola’s Room are slated to begin on 14^th May, with the official opening night set for 22^nd May. The experience invites small groups of up to six guests to navigate through a labyrinthine installation barefoot and equipped with headphones, led by an unseen narrator. This intimate, linear and audio-driven adventure is designed to immerse participants fully in a story of innocence lost and obsession unleashed.

Felix Barrett, Artistic Director of Punchdrunk, expressed his enthusiasm for the new project, stating, “When The Burnt City closed, our laboratory opened, and Woolwich became Punchdrunk’s home to experiment, play and develop – allowing us to prototype long-held dreams and new ideas. Our ambition over the coming years is to open our doors as never before, offering audiences a chance to experience the evolution of these ideas from limited runs to larger-scale works. It’s with great excitement that we prepare to welcome audiences to the first project in a new era of Punchdrunk shows, Viola’s Room – an uncharted landscape – a moonlit fever dream.”

Viola’s Room is the brainchild of Barrett, with co-direction from Associate Director Hector Harkness and design by Casey Jay Andrews. The production also features newcomers to the Punchdrunk family, including Lighting Designer Simon Wilkinson and Sound Designer Gareth Fry, both of whom bring a wealth of experience to the immersive experience.

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Viola’s Room is at One Cartridge Place from 14^th May until 16^th June 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.