Punchdrunk - Research

In this unit we are using Punchdrunk (Theatre company) as an archetype or a starting point for research on how to make our own good immersive Theatre. The research on them will be beneficial for a great performance. The first is a basic preliminary research on the background, ambitions, shows etc. In this post I am going to give a brief overview of  Punchdrunk.

Punchdrunk started up in 2000 to deliver a new 21st Theatrical experience using a free roaming world in which the audience are taken on a story using physical theatre, classical text and stunning and in-depth scenery. They disregard the conventional ideal of the passive audience who sets there quietly and enjoys a nice show. One of there main selling points is the way they shift the parameters between audience and performer. They have found innovative ways through many different mediums. The use of different multimedia device means they have consistently and successfully build and invite people into new worlds with different stories to on fold!

The Company's memebers include;

Steph Allen
Administrator

Katy Balfour 
Associate Artist

Felix Barrett 
Artistic Director

Sarah Davies 
Head of Development

Stephen Dobbie 
Sound and Graphic Design

Maxine Doyle 
Associate Director and Choreographer

Conor Doyle 
Associate Artist

Judith Glynne 
Finance Manager

Hector Harkness 
Associate Artist

Connie Harrison 
Director of Brand Partnerships

There shows include;

The Borough

• The Crash Of The Elysium
• The Duchess Of Malfi
• Sleep No More
• It Felt Like a Kiss
• Tunnel 228
• The Masque Of The Red Death
• Faust
• The Firebird Ball
• The Yellow Wallpaper
• A Midsummer Nights Dream
• The House Of Oedipus
• The Tempest
• Chair
• Johnny Formidable
• The Moon Slave

A show that I decided to look into a little  is tunnel 228. This show was performed at Leake Street in London. They did this because it was site specific and they could use material that was already put in place there. For example the walls are tattooed with Graffiti which helps to create a dirty and gritty atmosphere right off the bat.

Here is a link to a review about it:
http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/may/12/theatre-review-tunnel-228
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIJWZI9XNiY