Punchdrunk are well known for not just offering a theatre experience but rather more than that with their productions making them interactive pieces the audience are thoroughly involved in. They call it ‘immersive theatre’ where they offer freedom to explore the imaginative world of one of their shows. Interestingly they work with adult theatre mostly but with their latest production they have invited children over the age of six to come and experience the Punchdrunk magic and with their production of ‘Against Captain’s Orders‘ the children find themselves as part of the crew aboard HMS Adventure.
I’ve never been to anything like this before and I have seen a LOT of theatre – the Punchdrunk experience is like nothing else. It was incredibly clever and very impressive. We started out being shown around a museum by the curator who took us onto boats in different crews. We all wore life jackets to show which part of the crew we were in and got to know our fellow mates. He and another actor took us on a journey of fast paced action finding clues and solving problems. There was panic and intrigue, fun and camaraderie and we didn’t so much feel like we were at the theatre as we felt we were really in this scenario where we had to save the world! It was incredible and the attention to every detail as we moved around different rooms was superb. The actors, however, were the most impressive having to react and act to their small audiences every move. What fun!
Now Florence is only 5 and a half so a little young for this production but I thought I’d take her along anyway, she’s used to theatre and has enjoyed big West End shows like Wicked in the evening performance slots and always coped well so I ignored their advice of 6+. As it happens I was wrong to do so because Florence did actually get very frightened from the minute the show started. It’s dark and loud with very emotive music. As the ‘play’ wants us to be on our toes and worried for our safety this probably wasn’t the show for her. Saying that I do know quite a few five year olds (boys mainly it has to be said) who would have thought the show utterly brilliant and not been frightened at all. I also think that in another 6 months Florence would still be frightened of this so I guess it’s all down to the personality of your child. The concept is amazing so if you think you can cope then we thoroughly recommend; it just wasn’t for Florence. Jimmy on the other hand is JUST the sort of little chap who would think it was brilliant that he could become a part of the crew and run around yelling and finding clues! This will most certainly be his kind of show when he’s old enough!
We were invited to review Against Captains Orders which is playing at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich until 31st August 2015.
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