Punchdrunk's new immersive show, Viola's Room, is a twisted mystery 'laced with fear'

Punchdrunk, Felix Barrett’s award-winning, immersive theatre company, is bringing out a new play, Viola’s Room, a tantalising update of a beloved Victorian gothic mystery – which promises to be a huge departure from their previous works.

Written by Daisy Johnson, the youngest-ever person to be shortlisted for the Booker Prize, the new production is a reimagining of Barry Pain’s 1901 gothic short story, The Moon-Slave.

In previous shows, audiences wore masks and wandered around giant spaces filled with sensory surprises. Viola’s Room is going to be a much more intimate affair: described by founder Barrett as a “moonlit fever dream”, small groups of barefoot six visitors will “feel their way through a maze-like installation”, and, wearing headphones, will be “guided by light and sound” with the help of a unseen narrator.

Introduced by Punchdrunk as “a story of innocence lost and obsession unleashed”, it will be a haunting linear, audio-driven story. But fear not: this isn’t all spooks and chills.

Founder and director Barrett told one paper that the new experience is “laced with fear” and “a lot of fun”, describing it as both “a bedtime story” and “the ultimate date show” – though the new production is set to delight everyone from solo attendees to groups. Writing for the theatre for the first time, Johnson teased that her adaptation will be “lush and bodily”.

Pioneering British theatre company Punchdrunk has spent the last 20 years honing its craft. Created with the aim of making immsersive shows in which no two audience members have the same experience, guests have typically been invited to wander freely through Punchdrunk’s massive five-storey spaces, coming across ever-changing, utterly mind-boggling, set-pieces.

Their last performance, The Burnt City, an expansive Greek myth saga-adventure, was described by the Standard as “simply astonishing”; “I was overawed by the rich, vivid, momentous achievement of Barratt, Doyle and their cast and cohorts here,” said critic Nick Curtis.

“When The Burnt City closed, our laboratory opened, and [the headquarters] Woolwich became Punchdrunk’s home to experiment, play and develop – allowing us to prototype long held dreams and new ideas,” said Barrett. “It’s with great excitement that we prepare to welcome audiences to the first project in anew era of Punchdrunk shows, Viola’s Room – an uncharted landscape.”

Viola’s Room is a full-circle moment: 24 years ago Punchdrunk adapted The Moon-Slave, putting on just four performances because that’s all they could afford.

The new show, which will enjoy a limited run has been co-directed by the company’s associate director Hector Harkness and designed by Casey Jay Andrews, who was part of the team that designed The Burnt City.

Viola’s Room, previews begin on May 14; general sale from March 20; punchdrunk.com