About the show
A unique award-winning theatrical event: a site-specific Macbeth-meets-Hitchcock performance piece by Britain's Punchdrunk.
... Read moreRunning 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.
“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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"'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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
See it if Visually a fantastic experience!If u know your sheakspeare & is up to physically walk through the huge sets, exploring the story @ your pace
Don't see it if U r not ok with the possibility of loosing the person you went with very soon & having to go through it by yourself
Also It took me 3 hours to get tired.... Read more Read less
See it if You are a huge Scottish play fan. Wander the rooms to experiencing choreographed scenes from the play.
Don't see it if You need a seat in a traditional theatre to experience the Bard
See it if you know Macbeth but want to see a clever take on it and like to move to different detailed locations. Fabulous dance movement too!
Don't see it if you aren't into climbing stairs and need to stay in one place. Also, if you don't like intimate contact with actors it may not be for you.
See it if You want to fully experience another world, are seeking seen immersive experience, want to let out your inner voyeur
Don't see it if You aren't mobile (on your feet the entire time), are afraid of the dark, want a traditional theater experience; sensitive to violence
Also It was incredibly hot when I went. So much so that it impacted your ab... Read more Read less
See it if you want to experience something unique and enthralling
Don't see it if you want to sit in a traditional proscenium
See it if you want to be whisked away into a different world. this is a definite must for anyone who likes to wander
Don't see it if you are afraid of the dark, long stretches of time on your feet are tiring, or you want to watch a performance rather than experience it
See it if you want an unique experience with immersive theater.
Don't see it if you are easily frightened and is not comfortable being separated from your group.
Also beautiful production and incredible dancing sequences.
See it if you enjoy unusual, audience participation and great NYC experiences. This is very special and must do. Great with children of a certain age.
Don't see it if you have young children as they could be scared. Older children only.
See it if you love atmosphere, especially of the noir and jazz variety. You enjoy evocative theatrical movement.
Don't see it if you will be bothered by strangers in the dark accidentally bumping into you as they navigate poorly lit areas with running actors.
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 crave a live group experience & like audience participation. Great fun for a young audience. See it if you can't get tix to Ghost Light
Don't see it if you are an experienced theater-goer- you'll be bored. Also, don't see it if you don't like walking around in dark empty rooms.
See it if if you are 18 to 25 with little theatrical sophistication .A Halloween house.The skits amateurish, S&M oriented,female abuse! TERRIBLE!
Don't see it if If you have any level of theatrical sophistication or awareness of civilized behavior. Don't waste your money.
See it if there is nothing else like it. This was a transformative theatre going experience. I can not reccomend enough.
Don't see it if you have problems with stairs, running around, and don't enjoy the thrill of not quite understanding everything, but wanting to learn more
See it if you want to see immersive theatre at its best.
Don't see it if you have trouble walking or climbing stairs.
See it if You don't have high expectations & don't mind being confused. The lack of dialogue was especially confusing. The ending was very well staged
Don't see it if You've bought into all the hype around the show. Too much "story-telling" via dance. Sale of explanatory guides for $20 after says it all.
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're into silent theater with choreography over acting. Every scene was dramatized and you have to search to keep up with the subtle plot
Don't see it if You're expecting brilliantly done theater and want to see a good conceptual idea actually work out
Also I was really hoping for more from this show and luckily didn't spend a... Read more Read less
See it if you love a nontraditional theater experience and an intricately designed, elaborate spectacle.
Don't see it if you find elaborate but obtusely plotted shows pretentious. You don't enjoy walking for hours in darkness and often leaping out of the way.
See it if you want to see the most immersive theater I've experienced (where I wasn't an on-the-spot volunteer actor). The set is gorgeous, so real.
Don't see it if you have mobility constraints, don't want to be active (lots of stairs, on your feet the whole time). Need a linear or continuous story.
Also I saw SNM in 2011 & 2012, but friends who've gone this year loved it. ... Read more Read less
See it if you like thrillers
Don't see it if you don't like thrillers
See it if Imersion theatre that combines portions of Macbeth, Rebecca and whatever the cast may think ot. A totally unique theatrical experience.
Don't see it if running up and down stairs all nightsfollowing actors in a scary haunted hotel is too much for your heart or body. Not a relaxing experience
See it if You want to have the most immersive theater experience.
Don't see it if You don't like Macbeth.
See it if you love immerse theatre, Macbeth, movement pieces, or experimental pieces. It's also a must-see for any theatre artist!
Don't see it if you want to sit down and just enjoy a show. This is something you have to actively participate in in order to experience it fully
See it if ...you think Interactive Macbeth might be your thing.
Don't see it if ...you can't handle wordless storytelling, obnoxious masked crowds, or stairs.
Cast & Creatives
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