A bit of pretentious, cultural blogging

Punchdrunk's theatre production called "The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable" is an adaptation of Woyzeck but is not like normal theatre. You physically follow the actors/dancers from one scene to another, from the bedroom to the bar and one floor to the next within the building. There is no stage - or you are with them on the stage. You can choose whichever character to follow and switch whenever you want, or just explore the sets yourself. There is no dialogue. Everything is expressed through dance, body movement, music and lighting.

It's been running since June last year so it's not news to any regular theatre goers. When I went to London to see it last Friday I was blown away by the details of the sets, the genius of different characters' own stories and the powerful body movements. It was set in the 1950's and all the decorations and props were real and solid. All dancers, male and female, were professionally trained and incredibly fit like gymnasts. This guy rolled down backwards from the roof of a car and made it look like a walk in the park. Another moved among poles (that were supposed to be trees) like a dance in mid air.

They don't mind showing off their perfect bodies either. One of the main characters was played by a hot red head and he was in a white vest throughout, except when he went to see the doctor and was ordered to take it off and to stretch his arms out sideways. Then the creepy doctor (who was also hot by the way) started teasing him by running the end of a stick from his hand to his chest and drawing on his abs. At the time I had no idea what the fuck was going on but I was loving it and wished he would keep doing it.

I have bought another ticket to go again because there are so many sets and characters I didn't even know existed until the final scene. I really recommend it if you get a chance to go (but do some research first so you don't end up still being in a state of lost and confusion after the first hour like I did). It's not too late!