Entering the mouth of a clown I was presented with a space drowned in red curtains and swimming in beach balls and balloons. Leading through to smaller, closer and darker spaces again all divided with red curtains the next room held giant candy sticks hanging from the ceiling, swinging gently from where the previous group have just passed through. I was nervous, in fact I instructed the boyf firmly that for at least the first 10 minutes he was not to let go off my hand. Well, 2 minutes in and he was away trying to separate the curtained partitions and throwing balloons at the rest of our group as we moved precariously through the dark, stumbling around arms outstretched and trying to blink through the blindness.
Having visited the last Punchdrunk I was expecting something scary or unexpected to happen any minute but it didn't. It was quite nice. We just wandered at our leisure through dream like scenes of the 50's, elaborate sets of homes, mental institutions, examination rooms, living areas, crime scenes and offices. It was great fun even though we were fully aware we were being lulled into a false sense of security!
If you don't know what I am talking about yet it is the current Punchdrunk performance at Spinning fields in Manchester called 'it felt like a kiss.' An amazing alternative theatre group that manage to stimulate all your senses in an unexpected, anticipation filled 'walk through' show; although not all show, you are required to take part.
I do not want to spoil it if you still have plans to go but read the reviews, check out the group (links provided below) and be ready to be plunged into darkness, find yourself lost in a maze of wire cages and physiological tests and generally be scared.....but also enjoy yourself!
'It felt like a kiss' has been produced specially for the Manchester International Festival 09.
Oh....its coming yay!! The interview with erotic digital artist.....TOMORROW!
