London Theatre - The Creative Adventurer https://thecreativeadventurer.com A Travel Guide for Exploring the World Sat, 18 Mar 2023 14:28:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/thecreativeadventurer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/cropped-NewCreativeAdventurerLogo_250x250_v1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 London Theatre - The Creative Adventurer https://thecreativeadventurer.com 32 32 171399271 Everything You Need to Know About Abba Voyage and if It’s Worth the Price https://thecreativeadventurer.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-abba-voyage-and-if-its-worth-the-price/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=everything-you-need-to-know-about-abba-voyage-and-if-its-worth-the-price https://thecreativeadventurer.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-abba-voyage-and-if-its-worth-the-price/#comments Sat, 18 Mar 2023 14:28:07 +0000 https://thecreativeadventurer.com/?p=39100 When I was a teen, my mom took me to see Mamma Mia! the Musical. As a child...

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]]> When I was a teen, my mom took me to see Mamma Mia! the Musical. As a child of the 80s, ABBA’s music always permeated the air around me, but nothing I would remember. But seeing the musical as a teenager, those tunes that once danced around my room as a child suddenly felt both familiar and brand new. I was hooked. We bought the musical album when we left the theatre, and I soon managed to dig out some of my parent’s old vinyl albums from the basement to dive into the total majesty that was ABBA. I loved the hooks, the lyrics and most of all, the sequinned costumes!

Those older than me will probably laugh at my ignorance since you grew up with ABBA being one of the biggest bands in the world. But I felt like I was discovering it for the first time. I would dance around my front room to ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ in full view of my utterly confused neighbours as they passed. As I grew up and started attending my first concerts, I was heartbroken when I learned that the band had broken up and I would never get to see them live onstage. That was until ABBA Voyage…

Table Of Contents
  1. Is ABBA Voyage Worth the Money? 
  2. The Story of ABBA
  3. What is ABBA Voyage?
  4. The Digitial Concert Experience
  5. The Location
  6. Getting to the ABBA Arena
  7. Tickets & Seating for ABBA Voyage
  8. Are Photos Allowed?
  9. Food & Drink
  10. ABBA Voyage Merch

Is ABBA Voyage Worth the Money? 

Coming to London, you can’t miss ads for ABBA Voyage. They are everywhere you look; on the underground, on the bus and in the paper. But even I wasn’t sure what it was all about. And once you see the price tag, you might think twice about going. I loved ABBA, but I didn’t know what a virtual musical experience was, let only if it was worth the money. But I’m here to tell you it is.

After my mom passed away, I looked for things that reminded me of her. And things that could bring me joy when I felt so low. When I saw the details about this concert, I remembered how she was the one who first took me to see Mamma Mia! and was the one to introduce me to ABBA. It felt like she was telling me to go. And I’m so glad she did. I know mom would have loved seeing me dancing, singing, smiling and laughing throughout the show.

This kind of show feels like an injection of happiness straight to the heart. Even those with minimal exposure or knowledge about ABBA should experience it. If you weren’t a fan before, you are going to come away a newfound fanatic. In the end, the idea of something’s “worth” is incredibly subjective. But I hope this post gives you an idea of what to expect and whether you think it will be worth your money.

The Story of ABBA

ABBA was a Swedish pop group that gained international fame in the 1970s and early 1980s. The group consisted of two couples: Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The group’s name is an acronym of the first letters of their first names arranged as a palindrome. 

They skyrocketed to fame in 1974 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Waterloo.” ABBA proceeded to top the charts with songs like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” The Winner Takes it All,” and “Take a Chance on Me.” They were also known for their flamboyant costumes, which helped to create a distinctive and memorable image that lives in our minds even today. Sadly, popularity and the pressures of fame took their toll on the couples, and their marriages ended in divorce,. Leading to the eventual split of the band altogether.

What is ABBA Voyage?

ABBA officially broke up in 1982. For years their music remained dormant. But when the musical Mamma Mia! was released and the movie was a subsequent box office hit, there was an ABBA resurgence. Suddenly, ABBA’s music was back in the cultural zeitgeist. After years apart, rumours of a reunion began circulating. But the band members were adamant about never touring together again. This is where the concept of a virtual tour came into conception. The band members returned to the studio in 2018 to record a new album. And began the development of their virtual concert idea.

ABBAtars

They joined up with team members from Industrial Light & Magic, an American motion picture visual effects company. With their help, they created virtual avatars (dubbed ‘ABBAtars‘) that digitally captured the group members as they appeared in 1977. They employed the same motion capture suit technology animated movies use to capture the singer’s unique and subtle movement. Allowing their personalities to translate onto the stage through their digital ABBAtars.

The ABBA Voyage Venue

A purpose-built venue at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London was created using state-of-the-art technology to bring these ABBAtars to life. It was going to be an undertaking like no other that reportedly had a budget of £140 million. Once again, ABBA set a new bar for performance art and music more than 30 years after its first album.

The Digitial Concert Experience

The digital concert is 90 minutes long with no intervals. The show features the ABBAtars as they take the stage to recreate their live concert experience. They sing and dance in front of the audience as the would have appeared in the 1970s. When the ABBAtars first took the stage, I gasped. I thought, “no, those have to be the real people.” They looked too lifelike. A lot of people refer to them as “holograms,” but they are so much more than that! Holograms often look two-dimensional, slightly transparent and overall just fake. But these could have been real people. The lighting is just that good. At times it felt like you could walk up and touch them. Even their pores could be seen when the tv screen zoomed in on their faces. Their mouths make these subtle expressions that only the real ABBA could have recreated.

There were only a few moments when the ABBAtar’s faces fell into the uncanny valley. Uncanny valley is a phrase that refers to the unsettling feeling people experience when visual simulations too closely resemble humans in many respects but are not quite convincingly realistic. But for the most part, I was in total disbelief at how realistic these projections were. And halfway through the show, you just forget they are projections at all. And you’re just at a concert, somehow transported back in time.

Lighting

Part of what makes the ABBAtars look so lifelike is the advanced lighting effects that support digital technology. But the lights aren’t just to hide the ABBAtars’ secrets; they are a character within the show all to themselves. Mirrors reflect the singer’s faces and the audience’s own awed reflection. Beams of light flash across the arena like shooting starts. Coloured lights descend from the ceiling like streamers to the delight of the dance floor, and they attempt to reach up to touch them! There isn’t a minute of this show when the arena isn’t trying to delight your eyes in some fashion or another.

Costumes

Speaking of fashion…the costumes! ABBA was always known for its outlandish ensembles and iconic coordinated outfits. While I perhaps expected a costume change after every song, they provided an excellent array of styles for which the band was known. Feathers, sequins, and velour graced the stage at one point. Always throwing the crowd in a series of roars when a new costume change would be revealed.

The Music

Since the members of ABBA aren’t really singing live, you might expect the music itself to be pretty lacklustre. But nothing could be further from the truth. The vocals they used were taken from original track recordings from their albums. The mixing is super high quality, and it truly sounds like a live show, not just a recording. This is helped by the fact the ABBAtars are accompanied on stage by a live band. Featuring ten musicians and singers. This live band can be seen on the side of the stage throughout the show. The fact that there are times when you can’t tell the difference between the band and the ABBAtars goes to show how lifelike the projections really are! But the band adds more than just live music. They add their own personal touch to vocals, and their exuberant energy and love for the performance really comes through in their smiles.

The Location

ABBA Voyage is located in the western London neighbourhood of Stratford at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The Arena was purpose-built for ABBA’s modern concert spectacular. This show couldn’t be put on just anywhere. They had to literally build it, so you could come.

Getting to the ABBA Arena

By Rail

The closest station to the venue is Pudding Mill Lane on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway.) The ABBA Arena is immediately opposite the station making the journey practically step-free!

If you are instead planning on taking the underground, the closest station is Bow Lane on the District line. From Bow Lane, it is only a 20-minute walk to the Arena. You can also transfer at Bow Lane onto the DLR, but the 20-minute walk isn’t difficult and saves you the extra fare on the DLR.

After the show, the DLR station is PACKED with people leaving the show, so I’d definitely recommend the 20-minute walk to Bow Lane on the return journey. Unless you’re the first one out of the station, you’ll end up waiting more than 20 minutes to be able to board a train anyways.

By Car & Taxi

Parking is very difficult to come by around the ABBA Arena, so if you’re not taking public transport, it is recommended that you take a taxi or uber and are dropped off at the Arena. If you wish to hail a black cab, there is an appointed black taxi rank on Barbers Road.

Accessibility

If you have specific access needs, contact access@abbavoyage.com and inquire about reserving a spot in one of their ten parking spaces reserved for blue badge holders. These spaces must be booked in advance to ensure availability.

Tickets & Seating for ABBA Voyage

The ABBA Arena includes Dance Floor, Auditorium, and Dance Booth ticket areas. There are also special accessible seats available in dedicated sections to ensure those get the best visibility possible.

Dance Floor Tickets

The Dance Floor is my top recommendation for anyone attending this show who can stand for 90 minutes. It is a standing room only with general admission, so the earlier you get there, the better spot you can stake out. Tickets for the dance floor start at £70, with cheaper tickets on weeknights and weekend matinees. The Dance Floor gets you as close to the stage as possible and right into the thick of the party! It’s called a dance floor for a reason.

The minute the music started, everyone around us started dancing and singing along. It wasn’t anything crazy, so don’t worry about that, but the atmosphere and energy were absolutely infectious. In my older age, I tend to think I’m getting a little jaded with concerts, but I was smiling ear to ear throughout the entire show, and I think that was partly due to the exuberance of the crowd on the dance floor. 

From your vantage point on the dance floor, you can really admire how incredible the technology of the ABBAtars is. I think the farther away you are, the harder it is to appreciate how lifelike they look. The back of the dance floor does have a wall you could lean on, but for the most part, there is nowhere you can sit. If this is an issue (which I can absolutely understand), you can instead opt for the seats in the Auditorium.

Auditorium Tickets

The Auditorium is spread out on two different raised levels of inclined seats. Auditorium seats start at £55. The pricing is based on the location of the seats. The closer and more centred to the stage, the most expensive. But since the theatre is only so large, there really isn’t a “bad” seat in the house. And if you feel like you won’t be able to see the ABBAtar’s close-up, just like in a real concert, large projector screens show all action happening onstage. As well as some unique digital effects that surround the entire theatre.

The seated area is excellent for people who don’t think they can stand throughout the show. And while I did see everyone in the auditorium get up and stand to dance during the encore, I found that, for the most part, they stayed seated for the rest of the performance. So keep that in mind if you think you’d prefer to be on your feet, dancing to the music.

All accessible seating is located in the Auditorium on the first level.

The Dance Booth Tickets

If you’re looking for a splurge, you can book one of their eight Dance Booths that can hold up to 12 people. Each booth is named after a special person from the ABBA universe and features plenty of seating and a private dance floor. These tickets start at £153 per person and are located on the second level of the Auditorium. While they are private, they definitely don’t get the best view.

Discounted Tickets

Today Tix London sometimes offers discounted tickets, but I found that buying through the official site was often where you could find the best prices. But it never hurts to look, especially if you’re looking for last-minute tickets during less busy times of the year.

Are Photos Allowed?

Taking pictures or video recordings is strictly prohibited. If you are caught taking pictures during the show, you will be removed from the concert hall. Thankfully their official Instagram has a few photos of the show to help tell this story. I think, aside from ensuring people have a phone-free concert experience, one of the reasons why they are so strict is that they want to protect the proprietary technology they created for this unique show. But going to a concert phone-free was truly extraordinary and left you completely at the moment and utterly immersed. 

Before the show, you can take photos outside the arena and inside the main arena concourse. Inside the arena, I asked if we could take a picture of our group, and they said that was ok so long as the show hadn’t started and we were capturing ourselves.

Food & Drink

Doors to the ABBA Arena open 1 hour 45 minutes before the concert, so you can arrive early to make the most of the bar and food outlets, which will be open before the concert starts. Be aware the food and drink area of the arena is located outside, so think about this before checking your coat or leaving the house without one altogether.

The main concourse has two large bars serving cocktails, wine, draught beer, spirits and soft drinks. They also have traditional British favourites like Pimms! We visited during the holiday season, and they even had mulled wine!

There is also a dedicated food area serving a selection of hot & cold options for you to choose from. We arrived an hour before the show, around dinner time, and since the area surrounding the arena is pretty devoid of food spots, we decided to eat inside. We indulged in their fanciful hot dogs. The Mergues dog was a lamb sausage served with chipotle mayo and topped with carrot and onion slaw. Have to say, it was pretty delicious for a concert dog.

If you don’t want to wait in line to get your drinks and snacks, you can pre-order and collect them when you arrive. There are various collection points around the Arena, so choose the one that works best for your seats. You can leave the arena during the show to get a drink, but as the show is only 90 minutes long, I’d recommend simply bringing in whatever you plan on drinking so you don’t miss a minute!

You are entitled to bring water, and they have refill stations for water bottles. This is great as the dance floor can really get hot, and it’s good to keep hydrated.

Coat Check

Especially if you have dance floor tickets, make sure you coat check since it gets really hot with the energetic dancing. But be aware that the queue to collect your coat at the night’s end can get pretty lengthy. So if you have a seat, you’re probably best to just sit on your coat if you get too hot. Rather than check it.

ABBA Voyage Merch

One of the most exciting parts of the wait before the show is perusing the merch booth. And the one at ABBA Voyage certainly didn’t disappoint! Their “vintage collection” was phenomenal and felt like recreated pieces from their original tour merch. I’m still upset I didn’t buy that enamel mug…But we did come away with the tea towel (love me a tea towel) as well as the souvenir programme. If you’re interested in learning more about the creation of the show, the programme is an invaluable resource and well worth the £15.

This show meant a lot to me; it felt like a connection to my mom when I needed it most. But aside from that, it was a genuine BLAST. I still am talking about it to all my friends who are planning trips to London. While the ticket prices may seem a bit steep, I believe that the overall quality of the experience justifies the cost. If you’re a die-hard ABBA fan or simply appreciate innovative entertainment, I highly recommend checking out the ABBA Voyage experience in London. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity that you won’t want to miss!

Happy Travels, Adventurers

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]]> https://thecreativeadventurer.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-abba-voyage-and-if-its-worth-the-price/feed/ 15 39100 What do I need to know before seeing the Burnt City? A Spoiler-Free Guide https://thecreativeadventurer.com/what-do-i-need-to-know-before-seeing-the-burnt-city-a-spoiler-free-guide/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-do-i-need-to-know-before-seeing-the-burnt-city-a-spoiler-free-guide https://thecreativeadventurer.com/what-do-i-need-to-know-before-seeing-the-burnt-city-a-spoiler-free-guide/#respond Mon, 13 Mar 2023 17:16:35 +0000 https://thecreativeadventurer.com/?p=38951 “They sent forth men to battle, But no such men return; And home, to claim their...

The post What do I need to know before seeing the Burnt City? A Spoiler-Free Guide first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

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“They sent forth men to battle, But no such men return; And home, to claim their welcome, Come ashes in an urn.”

― Aeschylus, Agamemnon

As an avid fan and spectator of New York‘s preeminent immersive theatre experience, Sleep No More, when I heard Punchdrunk had a new show in London, I leapt at the opportunity to see the show. The Burnt City is a story of dazzling and haunting story gods and mortals set in a mythical underworld. The overall story takes inspiration from Greek mythology and is set during the Fall of Troy. But this isn’t the fall of Troy you remember, but another take on the classic tale. It is an experience that sends you through dreams and nightmares and suspends, if just for a few hours, your sense of reality and opens your mind wide. So dive in because this is going to be an intense ride…

I’ve read many articles that tell you not to get bogged down in decoding the plot or trying to understand what is happening in The Burnt City. Most of the story’s plotlines are told through interpretive dance scenes. But let’s face it; humans look for meaning in what we see. And I truly believe that by knowing a little more about the characters and overall themes, we can better develop different interpretations of the show as audience members.

My Sleep No More guide has proven extremely helpful for viewers before and after the show. And I wanted to ensure I gave the Burnt City the same treatment! If you’re curious and want clues about how to make the most of your experience, read on. This is the spoiler-free guide, but if you want to know all the secrets and spoilers, you can also check out our complete guide! Choose your fate!

Table Of Contents
  1. What is the Burnt City?
  2. What is Immersive Theatre?
  3. How Much Are Tickets to See the Burnt City
  4. How to Get to the Burnt City?
  5. Arrival
  6. About the Theatre Masks
  7. Accessibility
  8. What to Wear
  9. How to Experience the Show?
  10. 1:1s
  11. The Setting of the Burnt City
  12. Entering the World of the Burnt City
  13. The Story of the Burnt City
  14. Peep Bar
  15. Who to Follow?

What is the Burnt City?

The Burnt City is the newest production from the award-winning theatre company Punchdrunk. The show is an immersive theatre performance that blends contemporary dance and dramatic performances with classical texts. The production occurs inside One Cartridge Place; two enormous warehouses in Woolwich, outside central London. Set inside these warehouses, the company has transformed these once-abandoned buildings into a state-of-the-art theatrical venue. One that uses new technologies to create a cinematic walkthrough of their site-specific sets where you can explore to your heart’s content the world of the Burnt City.

The show has little to know spoken dialogue, and instead, the story is told through modern dance and the powerful yet silent performances of the actors in the show. The lack of words makes the show more of a work of art than a play, allowing viewers to come away with their own interpretation of some scenes and events.

What is Immersive Theatre?

Immersive theatre is a form of performance art that places the audience at the center of the performance. Blurring the boundaries between performer and spectator. In an immersive theatre experience, the audience is not just a passive observer but an active participant in the performance. Unlike traditional theatre, where the action occurs on a stage, and the audience watches from their seats, Punchdrunk demands their viewers to follow the story. You can explore the over 100,00 square feet inside the theatre, discovering secrets and various characters as you go. Pursue whatever grabs your attention. Somewhat of a “chose your own adventure” model of performance art. 

The show itself is three hours long, but the story repeats three times throughout the night. Resulting in 3 hour long “loops”. Each actor follows a distinct loop, with multiple storylines happening simultaneously. This means you can see an entire loop following one character. Then choose another to follow for the next hour, seeing how the characters interact or intersect between the various loops. 

How Much Are Tickets to See the Burnt City

You can buy three different types of tickets directly from the Punchdrunk website; Standard, Premium and VIP. A key piece of information to understand when buying these tickets is they each come with a different “entry time slot.” As mentioned above, there are three loops to view the show; the later you arrive, the less of the first loop you will be privy to. The show starts at 7 pm (or 2 pm when they have matinees.)

Ticket Levels & Distinctions

Standard tickets starts at £45. The earliest time slots tend to be priced slightly higher, and the tickets get cheaper later in the evening. The latest timed entry ticket is 40 minutes after the first loop begins. No matter which ticket you buy, you will always still get to see at least two full loops (aka 2+ hours) of the show no matter when you arrive.

Premium tickets start at £95. These tickets have more availability for early time slots. You also get inside faster with priority entry, which enables you to jump the queue on arrival. With these tickets, you can arrive at 6:30 pm (30 minutes before the start of the show) to go inside and enjoy time at the Peep Bar. The Peep Bar is a part of the show itself, but more on that later. With a premium ticket, you’ll also receive a complimentary coat check and a glass of Da Luca Prosecco.

The last ticket level is the VIP Tickets which start at £135. You get all the same advantages as the premium tickets but receive a secret prelude scene which is exclusive to VIPs. You also get a cocktail included at the bar and get a collectible VIP gift. Truly, I think these tickets are only for die-hard fans looking for that exclusive scene. If you’re a first-timer (and are mega-rich) I think you can give it a skip.

Discounted Tickets

If even the standard tickets sound expensive, well, they are. But there are some discount options available. The Ticket Lottery opens weekly every Thursday, with the draws taking place the following Wednesdays. Tickets are bookable for the week ahead and available in pairs. These tickets are £25 per person. But the arrival times are subject to availability.

Today Tix also offers daily discounted tickets through their app. These tickets are between £35-55, but they are set at the 7:20 pm entry time. Honestly, this is the best option available. Twenty minutes is worth the savings. These were the tickets I bought for the shows when I was in London and I never found I missed anything I couldn’t see again during another loop.

How to Get to the Burnt City?

The Burnt City is located in the neighbourhood of Woolwich, in One Cartridge Place, a two-minute walk from Woolwich station. The new Elizabeth Line stops at Woolwich station, making the journey on the tube all the easier from central London. It only takes about 30 minutes using the Elizabeth line. You can also access the theatre by taking the Thameslink train to Woolwich Arsenal Station, a six-minute walk to One Cartridge Place. From central London, this journey option takes around 50 minutes. But all will depend on where you’re departing from. Be sure to plan your journey in advance to avoid delays since timing at the show is key.

If you are driving, you can use the Woolwich Arsenal Train Station parking lot. From there, it is only an eight-minute walk to the theatre.

Arrival

Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before your scheduled time slot. They are getting pretty strict about this. But I’d arrive exactly 15 minutes before so you can ensure you get in as soon as possible And be advised they cannot guarantee access to latecomers. Once inside, you’ll need to go through security, get your ticket scanned, coat check and phone lock up. That’s where you are going to spend those extra 15 minutes.

Covid Regulations

As of March 2023, all audiences are still required to wear a Covid mask. If you do not have a mask with you, they will provide one to you upon entry. These are separate from the theatre masks you also need to wear. More on that below.

Coat Check

Since you want unencumbered throughout the show, you must check any bags or large purses before entering the theatre. Although you aren’t required to check your coat, it is HIGHLY recommended.

Coat check is complimentary for VIP and Premium ticket holders and but for the rest, it costs £2 per item. I brought a large, reusable bag with me that I stuffed my coat and purse into to save paying £2 on each of the two items. Small savings, but easy enough to do.

You are also not allowed to bring your phone into the theatre. They are very strict about this. If you don’t want to leave your phone in your checked bag, you have the option of placing your phone into a special lockable pouch. This pouch comes with a strap so you can carry it around with you. The pouch was very comfortable, and I loved being able to explore hands-free with ease.

About the Theatre Masks

In addition to the covid medical mask, all guests are required to wear a theatrical mask throughout the entire experience. The main reason for this is to distinguish the audience from the actors. This mask design is a replica of old Venetian Bauta masks. These Venetian Carnival masks hid the wearer’s identity during the tawdry events of carnival. With secret identities, rich aristocrats could partake in some otherwise frowned-upon activities. While wearing a mask might seem odd, the show aims to make you feel like a voyeur peeking in on the actors. Sporting a disguise allows you to feel braver and perhaps let your guard down. You might feel less inhibited and even step out of your comfort zone…

If you wear glasses, the mask may not fit over the top of them. I know the newer masks in London have additional padding that helps glasses wearers, but it may still prove difficult. If you can get or wear contacts, this might be the best way to fully enjoy the experience.

Accessibility

I was surprised to find upon researching that Burnt City is indeed wheelchair accessible, with only some areas inaccessible with electric chairs. If you have access requirements, including using a wheelchair, you must book an Access Ticket via Punchdrunk directly. You will also be able to book a complimentary Essential Companion ticket. You will need to use the lifts to access the two levels of the show. But there are lifts available.

Content Warnings

The show is restricted 16+, with anyone under 18 required to be accompanied by a responsible guardian. The Box Office will issue a lanyard which they must wear during their visit to be identified to performers and staff. There is a bar that features as part of the performance, which those under 18s can only visit in the company of their parent or guardian.

The reason for this age restriction? Not only is there plenty of distressing scenes with blood, murder, suicide and sex, but also PLENTY of nudity. Also, be aware there are many dark spaces, loud noises, strobe light, and smoke effects throughout the show.

What to Wear

What you wear to see the show is super important. The most critical of which is your choice of footwear! Since the night can be as long as three hours, you want to wear comfortable shoes. I saw so many people there wearing high heels, and by the end of the evening, they were leaning on walls and looked more exhausted than excited. If you are interested in following one character’s storyline, sometimes this requires you literally sprint after them to ensure they don’t get away and you miss their next scene. Without good shoes, you can’t chase after them.

The warehouse of the Burnt City is VERY HOT. So even in the colder months, I would advise wearing a light, breathable outfit. Since you have to coat check anyways, you can always wear something warmer there and leave those extra layers at the coat check. Also, be warned you might get some fake blood on your clothes. This will only happen if you interact with the characters, but it can happen. Don’t worry, though; it washes right out. But some people might not want to change it and choose not to wear their best shoes.

Another thing that is strange but is a MUST is a wristwatch! Since you won’t have your phone to tell the time, a watch will help you gauge how long you have been inside. Or when the first or second loop of the show might end. While getting lost is part of the experience, if you want to get the most out of it, having a watch to tell the time might help you.

How to Experience the Show?

There is no wrong or right way to experience the Burnt City. In a way, the show commands that you leave your inhibitions behind and lose yourself in the performance. But, if you want to create a more cohesive experience, you might follow one character for a whole loop. To learn their story and see how it fits into the overall narrative.

Other viewers will want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and simply explore the environment, sets and details to uncover hidden clues about the storyline. In the Burnt City there are clues everywhere revealing your presence in the underworld, so you can absolutely hunt for those!

The choices are unless and that makes the experience completely unique every time you go! The biggest piece of advice I have is to leave anyone you come with behind. Leaver them in the literal dirt. Explore the world on your own. It’s a choose your own adventure, after all, not choose someone elses. Plus, talking with your friends about what they saw and experienced after the show is one of my favourite parts. Nothing like a good debrief!

1:1s

If you’ve done even a little bit of reading on Punchdrunk’s productions, you’ll hear over and over again the mention of something called a 1:1. So what is it? The 1:1s are when an actor pulls a random audience member aside and brings them into a private room for a VERY intimate scene that only those two people share. This often involves removing your theatre mask so the performer can get up close and personal and connect with you.

Often the 1:1s are the only part of the play where you might hear the actor’s voice! They are few and far between, so if you get selected, consider yourself very lucky indeed. If you don’t want to interact that closely with them, the actors are very good at respecting if you pull away. But if you are super shy, stay in the back of the groups that follow the actors around so you won’t get picked.

On the other hand, if you want a more intimate experience, go to the front and get close up. But remember always to give the actors their personal space. You can’t touch them unless invited. And some scenes explode with intense movements, and you’ll want to stand back to observe these performances. It’s important to respect everyone’s boundaries, that includes other audience members. Don’t push someone out of the way just to get ahead, the actors will notice, and that isn’t the kind of attitude that will get you a 1:1. And, of course, don’t be a creep.

The Black Masks

Various employees wear black masks during the show. These black masks as security guards protecting the actors, securing the sets and keeping the audience from entering any off-limit areas. If you are using your phone or talking too loudly, they will step in to warn or remove you from the show. They are also there to give you directions if you are lost or need to find a washroom. But they won’t give away any secrets…

The Setting of the Burnt City

The Burnt City is a true tale of two cities, an apt comparison since the show was written just to be performed here in Charles Dicken’s London. And the city where Punchdrunk first originated and put on its first show. When you enter One Cartridge Place, you are stepping into an underworld representing the imagined ancient city of Mycenae (modern-day Greece) and Troy‘s pulsating neon back streets. The two cities occupy one of the two connecting warehouses converted for the Burnt City. Despite being inspired by Greek tragedies, the show is set in a dystopian future, inspired by films like Blade Runner and Metropolis. 

Entering the World of the Burnt City

Once you are through the coat check, you are given a playing card upon entering the Peep Bar. You wait here until your card number is called. Only then can you enter the world of the Burnt City. After your number is called, you’ll be led through a series of museum galleries containing glass cases preserving various artifacts from a fictional 19th-century excavation of Trojan ruins. Each one contains a small excerpt of the story we are about to see performed and the main characters therein.

Reading all the little details can be overwhelming when you just want to get into the show, but not to worry. This guide covers all that information (and MORE), so you’ll have come prepared. The last glass case of the exhibit is smashed. And the object inside is missing. As if something has been stolen or unleashed… And it is at this moment that you are given the choice of two doors to enter through, one leading to Mycenea, the other to Troy.

Mycenae is the smaller of the two buildings, but many of the biggest scenes occur here. Mycenae is a post-war abandoned city. Aged and tattered. While Mycenea feels like an ancient war zone, Troy feels like a throbbing Berlin nightclub. Or a night out on the streets of neon-laden Tokyo.

The Story of the Burnt City

Two main Greek tragedies inspired the intertwining storylines inside the Burnt City. The first is Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, and the second is Euripides’ Hecuba. The main plot points from Agamemnon primarily occur in Mycenae, and the characters from Hecuba centre around Troy. But elements from either story intertwine and connect each city’s fate to each other. But more than just a connection between location and character, these stories revolve around the theme of grief and the tragedies that befall both the victor and victim after war.

I’ve outlined a short summary of these classic Greek Tragedies, as I think knowing the source texts is important in interpreting the show. And unlike the Shakespearean inspiration for Sleep No More, Greek Tragedies are much less common knowledge. But I’ve done my best only to discuss the source and not give away any spoilers particular to the Burnt City.

Aeschylus’ Agamemnon

Aeschylus’s Agamemnon is a tragedy that tells the story of the Greek king Agamemnon. Agamemnon’s army was facing a devastating end. On their way to Troy, his entire fleet of ships was met with fierce winds on the seas and were stuck in a purgatorial loop. Agamemnon prayed to the God Artemis, needing a miracle to save his men and his fleet. Artemis told Agamemnon that if he sacrificed his young daughter Iphigenia, the gods would let the fleet cross the seas. Iphigenia was set to wed Agamemnon’s second-in-command, Neoptolemus, but the wedding was only a ruse. Right after the ceremony, Iphigenia is killed by her father. Right before the eyes of her beloved mother, Clytemnestra.

Clytemnestra’s Revenge

After the death of her daughter, Clytemnestra is overwhelmed with grief. With her husband at war in Troy, Clytemnestra takes a lover, Aegisthus and together, they plot revenge. When Agamemnon returns from Troy, he is stabbed by Clytemnestra in the bath and killed for murdering her daughter.

This story explores themes of justice and revenge. But moreover, the power of grief and the ceaseless love of a mother.

Euripides’ Hecuba

The second storyline, which is happening simultaneously, is Euripides’ Hecuba. Euripides’ Hecuba is a tragedy that follows the titular character, Hecuba, after the fall of Troy. Hecuba, once the queen of Troy, has been taken captive by the Greeks and is now a slave. Her daughter is killed by the invading army and Hecuba entrusts her youngest son to her neighbour and supposed ally, Polymestor. But Polymestor has no intention of saving Polydorus. Once Troy falls, Polymestor kills Polydorus and steals their family jewels.

Hecuba’s Revenge

Hecuba finds out her son has been murdered and flies into a murderous rage. Hecuba tricks Polymestor into meeting with her under the guise of telling him where the rest of the jewels of Troy reside. But along with the help from other enslaved people from Troy, they kill Polymestor’s sons and stab out his eyes. In revenge for her lost children.

Hecuba explores themes of revenge and justice. But primarily studies the horrors that befall women after the war. And the sacrifices a mother must make to seek vengeance for her family.

Hades and Persephone

Watching all of this take place are the gods Hades and Persephone, King and Queen of the Underworld. The myth of Hades and Persephone is one of the most well-known stories from Greek mythology. It tells the tale of how Hades abducted Persephone, the daughter of the goddess Demeter. He stole her away and took her down to the underworld to be his wife. Hades offered Persophone a blood-red pomegranate; unknowingly, she ate six seeds from the forbidden fruit.

Demeter, Persephone’s mother, was devastated by her daughter’s disappearance. She asked Zeus to intervene and had him broker a deal. Because Persephone had eaten six seeds, Zeus decreed that Persephone would six months of the year with Hades in the underworld and the rest of the year with Demeter on earth. This is where we get the changing of the seasons. The barren winter months represent when Persephone is in the underworld, and the fertile spring and summer months represent her joyous reunion on earth with her mother.

Additional Characters

While these two central storylines cover the main characters, a dozen or so side characters make up the rich tapestry of the story of the Burnt City. This includes lovers, other gods, tricksters and more, all with unique and rich narratives. All worth exploring and learning more about for yourself. Since these characters’ stories aren’t based on a pre-existing narrative, they can be a little looser and require more interpretation from the viewer.

Peep Bar

The Peep Bar is where you wait upon entering the theatre, but it also can be reentered through a doorway in the backstreets of Troy. The Peep Bar remains open after the performance (except during matinees.) Often, bands play here, so it’s a lively spot to continue the night with your friends and talk about the show!

Unlike the bar in Sleep no More, which is primarily a place to come, take off your mask, and unwind if you find the show a bit overwhelming, the Peep Bar is also a part of the show itself! Various characters come into the bar to perform a series of dances, and some even might treat you to a song or two! While I wouldn’t recommend spending an entire loop in the bar, if you follow a character and end up here, it’s worth seeing what happens.

Who to Follow?

The question of who to follow is difficult, and I think people will often simply tell you to follow what sparks your curiosity. And while that is good advice, if you’re reading this blog and came in search of guidance, you might be looking for something more informative than that.

My personal and admittedly biased advice? Follow a key/main character from Mycenea for the first loop. Someone like Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and Iphegina. They will help you piece together the more concrete aspects of that story. For the second loop, follow someone who will take you through the neon streets of Troy, like Polymestor (who has an especially heartbreaking storyline) or Hecuba. And finally, follow a God or other interesting side character for the last loop.

But honestly, if someone interests you or if you want to know more about anything you see, follow that path without question or hesitation. Exploring is all the fun, and with the knowledge from this post, you’ll already be set to discover the meaning behind so many discoveries inside.

If you had the pleasure of seeing the Burnt City and came here looking for answers, I hope you found this guide helpful! If you are seeing it for the first time, I hope you use this as a companion to the show itself. There is so much more to discover by uncovering the layers of this incredibly immersive experience.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post What do I need to know before seeing the Burnt City? A Spoiler-Free Guide first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

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