Yadayadaya

[drinkthehalo]

Sleep No More Shanghai, take one

Initial thoughts - trying not to spoil too much -

* Some things are exactly the same as in NYC * Some things are a lot better * Some things are significantly worse

MINOR SPOILERS FOLLOW, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

The good:

There are two completely new characters, with a story based on Chinese mythology. Major characters, not minor. I enjoyed them very much. If you’re going to make the trip all the way out here, they would be the main reason it’s worth it. Not a whole new Punchdrunk show, but at least FINALLY something new.

Taxi, Cunning Man, and Speakeasy have way more to do. As far as I can tell, no characters have been cut, although some have been changed, often in good ways.

The performances are top notch. A mix of Punchdrunk’s best, plus new performers who have been taught very well. It was wonderful to finally see so many Drowned Man performers in a Punchdrunk show again.

The budget put into the set shows clearly. Everything is beautiful and clean.

The layouts of the rooms make more logical sense. Duncan’s suites and the Macduff suites especially. They are huge, beautiful, and elaborate - Duncan’s actually befits a king.

There is more space and less rush for walkouts, which makes them more powerful.

The disappointing:

A lot of components from the New York show have been watered down. I saw no nudity and very little blood. The rave was nowhere near as powerful. (The rep bar also has a low ceiling, which didn’t help.)

The ballroom and Macbeth bedroom are smaller and less impressive. I didn’t follow the Macbeths, but the lack of bathtub in their suite speaks for itself.

The Porter doesn’t have a mirror for “Moonlight Becomes You,” and even if he did, the layout is such that you would not be able to see Lady Macduff in it anyway. :’(

The fourth floor shops are too small and cramped - lots of getting stuck in traffic jams and not being able to see much of the scene.

The language barrier makes it difficult to connect with the bar characters and bartenders, though of course this isn’t an issue if you speak Chinese.

The bar is pretty dead after the show ends. And there is no free water. :(

It’s extremely commercial - video ads outside on the building, a sponsored Budweiser on the bar menu, a full on gift shop. (Anyone want a McKinnon-themed china tea set?)

Slight recap of my actual first show - I wandered without following anyone for long. I didn’t follow Boy Witch at all (surprise!) but my first and only 1:1 was the Porter (no surprise at all). The performer (Andrea?) was great. The person playing Hecate was also wonderful (I don’t want to spoil who). I loved seeing Sam Booth and Olly Hornsby-Sayer do a completely surreal and strange new scene. I accidentally ended up following my least favorite character (Cunning Man) because Omar Gordon is so good. I was walked out by a Chinese performer who I think was playing the equivalent of the Matron, and who was great. Not a single performance was disappointing.

[gaibibi]

Oh man - now I want to know ALL about it.

[everylittlenote-deactivated2019]

SNM Thoughts...

I know the SNM tag seems to be mainly me posting cast lists and highlights, I can see that in the past there were a lot more discussions and I think that’s partly why I don’t post anything more in-depth, because I worry the response will just be “Oh, that’s been done to DEATH already…” But I did feel like writing about the hotel a bit more, and it’s nice to see some excitement from others lately too! Most of my recaps are basically like “So-and-so is so good!” It’s hard for me to get my thoughts out into words and a lot of people have expressed how I feel better than I can.

I also tend not to post wider theories because a lot of what I love about the show is how it makes me feel in the moment. There’s a reason that when I’m having a bad day or week or feeling out of sorts, I seek out the hotel. It’s not exactly the feel-good storyline you would think you need for a pick-me-up, but at this point I feel comfortable there. I can turn off my brain from real life for three hours and think about what is happening around me in the hotel. That’s a really important thing to me, getting lost in the experience as it is happening.

And it’s not all about personal connections or interactions, though those do help make a night special. For me it can just be the smell as the door opens when they let you inside, the giddy anticipation of who will be in the elevator, racing friends down to the ballroom to see who emerges from the shadows, watching Macduff or Taxi wall climb, hurrying to make it to the interrogation scene, anytime Hecate swoops her dress around, strolling into Paisley Sweets for a peppermint, that moment when the witches line up beautifully on the High Street, the swinging light during the card game (this was actually possibly my first favorite moment from the show), watching Fulton react to the rave, walking down the hallway to the rep bar running my hands along the wall, the way the Porter watches Boy Witch from behind the piano and stands so perfectly next to the light, or just seeing any of my favorite dances.

But the interactions ARE lovely, there is no denying that. Particular once you realize performers also become comfortable with you. I doubt everyone would be okay with Speakeasy shoving them against the wall so hard that you hear glasses fall down on the other side. I can be horribly shy and awkward in real life (why I still have an issue interacting with the PIB sometimes) and I certainly have a hard time making eye contact most of the time with anyone I don’t know, sometimes even with people I DO know. And I know this has definitely been discussed before, but if anyone makes eye contact with me in the show, I will stare right back, no issues. If Boy Witch wants me to actually help him put his pants on, okay. If Sexy Witch wants me to place my hands on her collarbones and neck while we wait for a phone call, sure. It still feels incredibly special when someone seeks you out for an interaction. I can’t help being amazed at how sometimes it seems like a performer knows when you need the attention, not just when you are hoping for it. I still worry about being a good follower, though. I hope I am.

Looking back at my last several shows, I spend a ridiculous amount of time with the Porter overall. You guys are probably sick of hearing about it. But I am legitimately fascinated to see how each different performer interprets the character. And I am still discovering new things, and always have a wonderful time revisiting my favorites. I am sure everyone feels the same about their own favorite characters.

I’m still gushing about this show. The “honeymoon period” isn’t over. I think I’m doomed. But that’s okay. I am still happy to talk and meet people and discover new things. I’m always happy to chat.

[gaibibi]

This post totally brings me back.

[gaibibi]

gARTh is ART

Oh no. Boy witch is now officially on tumblr. Where my REAL fangirling shows. Am I deleting/ editing my old posts? Ain't nobody got time for dat. Am I following? HECK, YA!

[gaibibi]

the desperation when you feel so unattractive day after day.

[gaibibi]

I want to go to a SNM party.

*sob*

[bloodwillhavebloodtheysay]

Just curious. Do you have any good stories about audience members that moved an essential prop or tried to take a souvenir from the hotel? You really are left to your own devices in the dark.

Hmmm…  Not really.  I know it happens quite a lot, and I will confess to a few indiscretions myself from very early on when I started seeing the show.  (I ultimately felt guilty and eventually returned my “souvenir” to the space—  the hotel knows, and I find’ twang to be on the hotel’s bad side.)

I have seen recaps where people have posted photos of props that they pinched from the set, including one that is pivotal to the plot, the large locket that is passed among Speakeasy and the witches and Hecate to represent that they “have her” (referring to Agnes’ sister).

A good rule of thumb is:  if it is given to you, it is yours to keep.  Otherwise leave it.  (There are some generally accepted exceptions to this, but unless you are incredibly familiar with the show and know how and when props are set, used, and reset it’s better to just NOT go there.)

[evenghostandhorse]

1. Someone stole all of the Porter’s rings, so the Porter improvised me a monologue for the 1:1 instead and gifted me with a small, headless statue of Jesus.  A+ Portering.

2. The bird went missing (unsure if this was audience or performer error), in the last loop so J. Fulton took a human skull to Banquo’s murder instead.  The creepiest.

3. Someone took a shot out from in front of Banquo during the card game with Malcolm and Macduff.  Speakeasy came out from behind the bar and gave him a stern talking to.

4. Someone took one of the giant eggs out of Malcolm’s file cabinet and smashed it on the counter of Paisely Sweets.  Fulton came and cleaned it up between Agnes scenes and was pissed off for the rest of the night.

5. People steal Fulton’s umbrella on a near nightly basis.

6. People steal Fulton’s Agnes flowers on a near nightly basis.

7. One night Fulton’s umbrella, flowers, and pants that he sews all got stolen in the same loop.

8. Sometimes people steal Macbeth’s underwear.

[anightingalesangin]

Saw the human skull one back in January. Not sure if it was error or if someone was just swapping it up, but agreed: creepiest Banquo murder ever.

All the rest: ugh.

[gaibibi]

wow. some people. and i felt bad for standing too close to the actors and occasionally jumping backwards and stepping on other audience.

tho I have to say that this post totally brightens up my night =D thank you! and i want to go back right now just to check out bad behaviors =P

[gaibibi]

Putting this up very soon, when my desk is tidy enough, lol. Just great show and wonderful art work. Thanks Chloe Finore.

[nodoubtaholic]

The Fairytale Ending #11 Monday 4-28

First of all, this is incredibly centered around one performer, and I am sorry, but I’m also not sorry.  At all.

Read More

[gaibibi]

Thank you for such a nice recap! If I get to go again and if I can figure out who is EAM, I'd need to follow him.

[snmsketches]

Happy Birthday, Garth Johnson!

[gaibibi]

THIS.

On the other hand, I find that I don't really read recaps anymore since a certain dancer left the show.... Is that all there is to my recap-reading days?

[arcanegryphon]

My dad was going through some old things today, and stumbled upon the program from when he and my mother saw Les Miserables in London in 1989. At the time, my mom was pregnant with me. He gave it to me, thinking I’d be interested to see if I recognized any of the actors since I’m a bit of a fangirl. Philip Quast. Was Javert. They saw. My favorite. Javert. Of course they did. This explains everything.

[philipquastfan-blog]

O.M.G……. ^.^

[gaibibi]

lucky!!!!!

[bloodwillhavebloodtheysay]

I absolutely LOVE Chloe Finore’s SNM Character study comics that she did, so I stole her art to make her a mask.  (Next time I see you Chloe, this is for you.)

P.S.  Hey, super fans!  If you love them like I do, you can buy a print of the entire collection here.

[gaibibi]

this is too awesome not to reblog. from two very talented people. i am so amazed.

[arrangealign]

[gaibibi]

rebloging for future reference.

[oh-frederik-what-a-day-its-been]

Contemplating my first double this Friday. SNM hive mind: is there a method to the madness? Do you approach one show one way and the second a different way?

[redlipsandlostrings]

Any method I have goes out the window as soon as I’m inside! I get into the space, go, “OOOH that...

[gaibibi]

I love doubles!!!! Double-doubles are the best!!!!!!!

[gaibibi]

I now have 3 facebook friends through Sleep No More. What a happy big family!!! =D =D =D

I can be pretty shy tho. (lol) Just yap at me! =D

[at-the-pit-of-acheron]

I spent some time today reading the fantastic work over at paisleysweets. While I’ve read some of their pieces, it was only after having seen the show twice or so. Now, having seen all but 5 characters, I can appreciate most of their essays.

In particular, having done Fulton and Taxi loops, I...

[gaibibi]

YES - Paisletsweets was like a whole literary analysis of the play. I LOVE reading things like these and coming up with my own ideas. I hope the blog didn't stop tho. sob.

[chloefinore]

Hi All, I (finally) have a small sampling of prints up for sale on my Society6 page. 

I’ll be adding more over the next few days, but if there’s something specific you would like to see up there, just let me know!

http://society6.com/ChloeFinore

Wishing you well, Chloe

[gaibibi]

Can't wait!

[scorchedthesnake]

Number Sixty: Is that all there is... to life, and moving on with it?

Warning: Spoilers Ahead

Earlier today I was reading Lipstick Traces by Greil Marcus. I first read it in college in 2001 in a seminar on Marx and Nietzsche. It opened my eyes to a very different kind of scholarship and a very different way of thinking about cultural history. I love that book. But reading it again all these years later I was stunned by how differently I feel about it. The scholarship is still strong, well-argued, and illuminating; but now I can’t help but be overwhelmed by the absurd narcissism of the whole project. This whole book because Greil Marcus felt a need to justify how amazing he felt when he heard the Sex Pistols; he went so far as to ascribe an entire secret and unconscious chain of historical relations and intellectual antecedents to them to give them the profundity they’d earned in his heart. It’s kind of amazing, brilliant, and sad all at once.

I mention this all because at one point in the book, he uses a quote that I love from Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth. “People pay to see others believe in themselves,” she said, “on stage, in the midst of rock ‘n’ roll, many things happen and anything can happen, whether people come as voyeurs or come to submit to the moment.”

That sort of sums up my feelings about Sleep No More, sixty shows and 3.something years later. This is a very complicated recap, because it involves a lot of history, and personal experiences, and opinions. If you’ve read this whole blog and come on this journey with me, a lot of this will make sense. If you don’t like that I “speak with authority” about things, do me the favor and tune out now. If it bothers you that my opinions invalidate your experiences, that’s too damn bad, load your own opinions with more conviction next time around and stop trying to invalidate my experiences with your opinions… about my opinions. 

Read More

[gaibibi]

I'm tipsy from wine and I'm a natural born emo so I don't know what I'm writing but here goes:

Brilliant, just - brilliant. A part of me is thinking, "NO!!!!!! Don't say this!!!", but a bigger part of me agrees. 

SNM will always be a life-changing experience for me, and maybe others. But it's impossible to expect that we can/ will go back to it for the rest of our life. The show stays the same (sadly - I do hope that it will evolve like TDM); it seems to be almost a safety net at times, something that you can always fall back on to. As if it defines your identity. But then you go into the hotel after a few times, and realize that, indeed, maybe there IS a point, a sense of ending to it.

To me it really was my Garth Johnson's BW night. I just think that there'll never be something better than those 3 precious hours. Anything that comes after that will be kinda trivial. Not for everyone - the show will ALWAYS be magical for new goers - but for me, that single night, and subsequently the departure of GJ, was the perfect way to say so-long to this wonderful experience.

I do want to go back to the hotel. I haven't seen everything, and I already know what I want to see/ do. But it'll not be the same. I most probably won't ever be as emotionally charged as I was, and I'd go in as an observer, not someone with a purpose to be fulfilled, or with a dream to catch. 

But it's ok. I have enough to hold on to from the show, in my memory. So I'm ready to say bye, even if I don't get to see SNM ever again in case I don't get to go back before it ends it run.

(Newbies: It's a wonderful experience. Just go.)