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The Punchdrunk Encyclopaedia: Rob Horner

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Rob Horner is the artistic director of Punchdrunk, an acclaimed British theatre company known for its immersive and site-specific productions. Horner has been with Punchdrunk since its inception in 2000, and has directed all of the company's major works, including The Drowned Man, Sleep No More, and The Masque of the Red Death.

The Punchdrunk Encyclopaedia

by Rob Horner

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	321 pages

Horner's work is characterized by its use of immersive techniques, which place the audience at the heart of the action. In Punchdrunk productions, the audience is free to explore the performance space at their own pace, and to interact with the performers in a variety of ways. This creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy that is unlike anything else in theatre.

Horner is also known for his innovative use of site-specific venues. Punchdrunk productions have been staged in a variety of locations, including abandoned warehouses, disused hospitals, and even an entire town. This approach allows Horner to create productions that are uniquely tailored to the specific environment, and that explore the history and culture of the space.

Horner's work has received critical acclaim both in the UK and internationally. He has been awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director twice, and in 2015 he was made an OBE for his services to theatre.

Early life and career

Rob Horner was born in 1970 in London, England. He studied drama at the University of Bristol, and after graduating he worked as an actor and director in a variety of theatre companies. In 1995, he co-founded the theatre company Shunt, which specialized in site-specific productions.

In 2000, Horner co-founded Punchdrunk with Felix Barrett and Maxine Doyle. The company's first production, Out of Order, was staged in an abandoned warehouse in London. The production was a critical and commercial success, and it established Punchdrunk as one of the most innovative theatre companies in the UK.

Artistic approach

Horner's artistic approach is based on the belief that theatre should be an immersive and participatory experience. He wants audiences to feel like they are part of the action, and to be able to explore the performance space at their own pace. To this end, he uses a variety of techniques, including:

Site-specific performance: Horner's productions are often staged in unusual and unexpected locations, such as abandoned warehouses, disused hospitals, and even an entire town. This approach allows him to create productions that are uniquely tailored to the specific environment, and that explore the history and culture of the space.
Immersive techniques: Horner's productions use a variety of immersive techniques, such as audience interaction, multi-sensory experiences, and physical interaction. This creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy that is unlike anything else in theatre.
Non-linear storytelling: Horner's productions often use non-linear storytelling techniques, which allow the audience to experience the story from multiple perspectives. This creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, and it encourages the audience to be active participants in the storytelling process.

Selected works

Some of Rob Horner's most notable works include:

The Drowned Man (2000): Punchdrunk's debut production, The Drowned Man was staged in an abandoned warehouse in London. The production was a critical and commercial success, and it established Punchdrunk as one of the most innovative theatre companies in the UK.
Sleep No More (2003): Sleep No More is Punchdrunk's most famous production. It is an immersive adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, staged in a disused hotel in London. The production has been seen by over 1 million people worldwide, and it has won numerous awards, including the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director.
The Masque of the Red Death (2007): The Masque of the Red Death is a site-specific adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's short story of the same name. The production was staged in a former asylum in London, and it used immersive techniques to create a sense of terror and unease.
The Duchess of Malfi (2014): The Duchess of Malfi is a site-specific adaptation of John Webster's play of the same name. The production was staged in a former convent in London, and it used immersive techniques to create a sense of intimacy and claustrophobia.

Legacy

Rob Horner is one of the most influential theatre directors of his generation. His work has helped to redefine what is possible in theatre, and he has inspired a new generation of theatre makers. Horner's work is characterized by its innovation, its immersive techniques, and its use of site-specific venues. He is a true visionary, and his work will continue to inspire and delight audiences for years to come.

The Punchdrunk Encyclopaedia

by Rob Horner

4.3 out of 5