Viola’s Room assessment – Punchdrunk’s immersive walkthrough an enchanted dream | Theatre | Entertainment | EUROtoday

Punchdrunk Theatre are again with their newest immersive piece, happening at their HQ in Woolwich, East London.

This time round, company are required to stroll into the expertise barefoot and carrying headphones, as Helena Bonham Carter’s recorded voice narrates the story of Viola’s Room.

Instructed to all the time “follow the light” within the dimly lit first few corridors, our group of 4 discovered ourselves within the titular house of a Nineteen Nineties teenage lady.

Asked to discover a mattress and lie down, Helena started to inform us a narrative that will actually lead us by way of Narnia-esque wardrobes and twinkly, seemingly countless corridors.

We wouldn’t wish to spoil the present, however let’s at the least tease what’s in retailer.

Thematically, Viola’s Room reminded us of the gothic fantasy of Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, however with a storyline that’s all too obscure and mysterious all through.

Punchdrunk definitely lean into the sensory points of this piece over the substance of the narrative.

Highlights embody some fantastically constructed fashions and shadow puppetry, alongside the contrasting feeling of soppy pillows and coarse soil in your ft, relying on the place you’re on this darkish fairy story.

There are moments of full darkness, however relaxation assured no soar scares. It’s spooky, however not a horror.

Nor are there any actors inside the expertise, however Helena’s voice guides you thru to a fantastically designed conclusion.

It’s not for everybody, but when that is your bag you’ll get misplaced in surprise for 45 minutes.

Viola’s Room is on at One Cartridge Place, London, till August 18 and tickets will be booked right here.