Sleep No More
About the show
A unique award-winning theatrical event: a site-specific Macbeth-meets-Hitchcock performance piece by Britain's Punchdrunk. More…
Running at the long-abandoned McKittrick Hotel on the extreme western edge of Chelsea, 'Sleep No More' is an adaptation of Macbeth. This piece of environmental theatre is comprised of an indoor promenade performance in which the audience walks at their own pace through a variety of theatrically designed rooms for up to three hours.
"Bring an open mind, a healthy curiosity, and perhaps a decent working knowledge of Shakespeare's Macbeth, and you will have a fascinating time at Sleep No More, the simply astonishing environmental theater piece now playing in Chelsea. Theatergoers will find themselves wanting to return to the McKittrick time and again to dive into this deliciously eerie experience." Full Review
"Hidden in New York City is the best live performance show in town and that show is Sleep No More, which is way off Broadway and way, way out of the box.Sleep No More is a show that stays with you long after its over...If living theater is your cup of tea, then Sleep No More is good to the last drop." Full Review
“Sleep No More” is, in short, a voyeur’s delight, with all the creepy, shameful pleasures that entails. As conceived by Punchdrunk, this tale of regicide taps the same impulses that draw us to Agatha Christie mysteries and sensational tabloids, flavored with the snob appeal of biographies of self-destructive aristocrats." Full Review
"What in Hecate’s name is Sleep No More? A dance-theater horror show? A wordless, nonlinear mash-up of Macbeth and the darker psychosexual corners of Hitchcock? A six-story Jazz Age haunted house for grown-ups and anyone who’s ever entertained sick cineast-y fantasies of living inside a Kubrick movie? ’Tis all these, and more besides. It was a lovely evening in hell, one I’ll be recovering from for some time." Full Review
"This isn’t faddish hipster ephemera. Far from it. Chances are, you’ll walk away from “Sleep No More” obsessing over its myriad details, chewing over your peculiarly intoxicating trip in a way no traditional theatergoing can match. Punchdrunk stakes its art on an ancient, even primitive premise: There is no source of storytelling as powerful as the human body." Full Review
"A multitude of searing sights crowd the spectator's gaze at the bedazzling and uncanny theater installation Sleep No More...A true astonishment, turning six warehouse floors into a purgatorial maze that blends images from the Scottish play with ones derived from Hitchcock movies—all liberally doused in a distinctly Stanley Kubrick eau de dislocated menace." Full Review
"In "Sleep No More," Shakespeare's “Macbeth” is transformed into a 1940s noir nightmare. This is not a play you sit and watch. Spectators at "Sleep No More" are given white masks to cover their faces, instructed to keep silent, and then set loose into the maze for up to three hours. How long you stay, where you go, and what you see is entirely up to you." Full Review
"There are two distinct parts of 'Sleep No More': the physical production, and the personal experience, and both are apt reasons to attend...'Sleep No More' is full of surprise revelation and poignant moments; what makes it unique for a theatrical piece is both the ability for these moments to come even when actors are nowhere to be seen, and the intense level of absorption that occurs during the experience." Full Review
"My heart raced the entire time; I felt nervous and exhilarated...There's so much more to say about Sleep No More, but I don't know how to say it without clumsily stumbling over the experience for someone else. All I can say is that you should go, and if you do: be bold. And if someone makes eye contact with you, hold it." Full Review
"Ambition is the fatal flaw in "Macbeth," but it's the key to the success of "Sleep No More," a sensational interactive theater piece inspired by imagery from the Scottish play and Alfred Hitchcock thrillers." Full Review
"I felt that the primary impulse was to make theatre matter, to have an over-all emotional effect, in which décor and dance are equal to the dramaturgy, as in eighteenth-century operas...Does this mean that, if one forgets moments of the piece in this doomed party atmosphere, it’s superficial? Yes. Does this mean that the profound role the piece plays in altering one’s consciousness makes it a deep work, too? Yes." Full Review
"It is an engaging if dizzying mix of design, dance and drama...The production depends on theatergoers’ prior knowledge of the Scottish play, generally a good bet, although the more recently someone has read it (or seen a straightforward production of it), the more the disparate images and chaotic moments of 'Sleep No More' will cohere." Full Review
"'Sleep No More' isn’t for everyone...But for years people have found the experience fun and exhilarating, and word of mouth has encouraged others to try out 'Sleep No More' for themselves. So if you’re up for a little adventure or your curiosity has been piqued, then put on your comfy shoes and check it out." Full Review
"The experience of this production is just like a nightmare: detailed, hard to convey in words, elusive, weirdly logical somehow. Even when you don’t enjoy it, you relish the experience...It all reminded me of the Tower of Terror at Disneyworld. I mean that as a compliment...When it works, it’s exhilarating. But, like a roller coaster, it has some duller patches, and it’s not for the physically weak...I’d get on line for this ride again. And there’s more to explore in this nightmare." Full Review
"Rarely have I seen a more money-grabbing show, which has wowed New York's critics, but left me feeling short-changed...How on earth can a company charge such high prices for a show you cannot hope to appreciate fully in one, two or even three sittings? The numbers just don't add up. Except in the box office. And at the bar. Oh, and in that gift shop." Full Review
"It’s tough to feel any sense of reward, or accomplishment, or even emotional gratification from your actions. Maybe I’m just not smart enough for an experience like Sleep No More, but my time at the show was confusing and frustrating. I came craving a story and left with nothing but flashy fragments and uncomfortable moments." Full Review
See it if You want to truly experience a piece of dance based theatre, where YOUR CHOICES decided the outcome of your journey in their world.
Don't see it if You are chasing a traditional narrative or don't enjoy expanding your idea of a theatre experience.
Also Sleep No More is THE immersive experience I feel all others are hoping... Read more Read less
See it if you enjoy post-modern reconstructions of western cultural touchstones, immersive theatre, and profoundly effective visual imagery.
Don't see it if you have any mobility issues/don't want to stand or walk for 3 hours during a show.
Also The show itself is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. The desig... Read more Read less
See it if You like new inventive theater (but maybe brush up your shakespeare first)
Don't see it if You aren't prepared to be running around for 3 hours
See it if You want to be completely immersed in a world or know macbeth very well
Don't see it if If you don't want adventure
See it if This is an immersive theater experience like no other. You run around the Hotel to an amazing story line, interacting with characters.
Don't see it if You are easily frightened, you don't like people to touch/interact with you.
See it if Wanting to experience theatre like you never have before
Don't see it if If you have issues with immersive experienceels, nudity or walking (including stairs) for up to 3 hours
See it if you want a heart-stopping adventure.
Don't see it if you don't like to engage or participate in public performances.
See it if You want to experience theater in a new way
Don't see it if You can't run up and down stairs or you feel you need to talk
See it if You love intense shows, and want to be entranced in a world that is a perfect combination of being in a David Lynch film and Eyes Wide Shut
Don't see it if You do not like intense shows and want something light hearted
See it if you are entirely ready to open yourself to an EXPERIENCE and not a linear type of storytelling.
Don't see it if you need three acts and a defined story line, have trouble in the dark, or cannot handle stairs.
See it if you're in for a wild ride, you want to be entertained, you like immersive theatre, you love Macbeth
Don't see it if you don't like immersive theatre, you don't like being on your feet for a while, you are a drunk fool
See it if You want your mind blown
Don't see it if You dont want to walk around for 3 hours
See it if you enjoy innovative theatrical experiences.
Don't see it if you hate thinking for yourself.
See it if You are up for new experiences. You like to be challenged. Would like to be inside a dream.
Don't see it if You don't like to interact with the actors. Only like traditional theatre. Are expecting to see a traditional story.
See it if you want your life changed.
Don't see it if you are a sensitive soul. Nudity, blood, and extremely intimate audience interaction are bounteous here. You've been warned.
See it if You love set design, beautiful movement, emotion driven work, and incredibly artistic things
Don't see it if You can't handle nudity in shows
See it if you want something different
Don't see it if no reason
See it if you enjoy immersive theatre, intimate experiences, and great choreography.
Don't see it if you prefer proscenium theatres and non-active plays.
See it if You're ready for an evening like no other and enjoy self-guided exploration
Don't see it if You don't like wandering alone or want a straightforward play
See it if You want your mind blown.
Don't see it if There is no reason to not see it.
See it if you love interactive theater. Actors will touch and speak to you and take you into private rooms if you are lucky!
Don't see it if you do not enjoy interactive theatre or suffer from high anxiety in dark/eerie situations.
See it if you like immersive theater.
Don't see it if you are not open to a solo and/or introspective experience.
See it if you even wanted to walk thru/haunt a film noir; surreal and nonlinear theater-as-witnessing; spectacular, fresh, original productions.
Don't see it if you need to see "everything" (i've seen different strands of the story each of 3 times i've gone). the set has limited accessibility :(
See it if you like immersive theater. you love suspense.
Don't see it if you want comedy / musical
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