Liam Coady & Bevin Dooley
DRAMA 454
2012-10-02
Punchdrunk
Theatre
What is Punchdrunk Theatre?
“Since 2000, Punchdrunk has pioneered a game
changing form of immersive theatre in which roaming audiences experience epic
storytelling inside sensory theatrical worlds. Blending Classic texts, physical
performance, award-winning design installation and unexpected sites, the company’s
infectious format rejects the passive obedience usually expected of audiences.
We focus as much on the audience and the performance
space as on the performers and narrative. Our designers occupy deserted
buildings and apply a cinematic level of detail to immerse the audience in the
world of the show.
Lines between space, performer and spectator are
constantly shifting. Audiences are invited to rediscover the childlike
excitement and anticipation of exploring the unknown and experience a real
sense of adventure. Free to encounter the installed environment in an
individual imaginative journey, the choice of what to watch and where to go is
theirs alone.”
Punchdrunk Theatre Website
·
Punchdrunk started by adapting
classic plays into a new format of submersive theatre. Audience members could
follow any particular character and witness scenes or indulge in the award
winning design of the installation.
o
It’s all about the individual
audience member’s reaction to the work. Each person should be free to explore
what they wish to explore and react in the way they choose
Punchdrunk Masks
·
Each audience member,
when entering the performance, must wear a mask supplied by Punchdrunk. How
does this help the performance?
Each audience member,
when entering the performance, must wear a mask supplied by Punchdrunk. How
does this help the performance?
o
Makes them “invisible” and also
unifies the audiences
o
Involves the audience on a
performative level
o
The masks cover the mouth,
stopping audience members conversing
o
As an audience member, you
can’t read other audience member’s faces, allowing you to focus on your
individual perception of the piece
The Exercises
o
Contact Improv – In a situation
where the audience is free to move around from scene to scene we may need to
sometimes give them clues as to a scene being finished or to move on to another
place. This is a great communicative tool to do so with. Since there is also
not a backstage in the conformative sense when it comes to Punchdrunk shows,
this can also be a way to communicate with other performers without damaging
the world of the show.
o
Picture and Text – As stated
previously, Punchdrunk derives its work from the art that has come before it.
Using the painting and text gives the creator a starting point from which to
begin the creation process. What do these older pieces hold that is still
relevant today? What are aspects of these pieces that can be further explored
in a performance piece?
More Info on Punchdrunk
Punchdrunk and SLEEP NO MORE - StoryCode
Forum May 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSF_hM9elRg
Punchdrunk Official Website
No comments:
Post a Comment