Hunter S.
Yelp
So this review may be a moot point because Sleep No More is closing in April (after multiple extensions). But because there are more events at the McKittrick hotel, and Sleep No More will inevitably be replaced by a new and innovative production, I want to offer my take.
People seem to either love or hate this show. And maybe I had a better experience than most because I purchased Maximillian's tickets, meaning I skipped the line, and had an early entry time.
There are some people reporting that others were crowding, elbowing, and shoving. While some main characters amassed a large following (I avoided those situations), I didn't encounter anyone being rude or physical.
Also, the guy saying people are elbowing their way to the front for instagram pics? Your phone is locked in a bag the whole time. No pics inside.
You have to have to be open and be in a creative/receptive state of mind. This is loosely based upon Macbeth, as well as an Alfred Hitchcock movie and a historical event. You're not going to get a cohesive storyline. But it would be helpful to hit the Google, read some tips on Sleep No More, and check out the cliffs on Macbeth.
The other thing people have to realize, you can choose to just meander the hotel and become just another one of its ghostly residents. There are so many drawers to open, secret letters to read, little hidden messages. You don't have to run after an actor the whole time.
I also found that following smaller, lesser known characters could be more rewarding than following the main characters. And often these characters could lead you to some important revelations about the big picture.
There are also subtle cues. For example, I followed the hotel desk manager, a seemingly negligible character. But he is the connector of several characters. He ran to a back room and pulled a chair out for himself to sit. He also happened to pull out the chair next to him. I took that as a cue to sit down. Once he finished his drawing and writing, he handed it to me.
Another actor lightly brushed a chair off, indicating it was time for one of us to sit down as he belted out his soulful tune, "Is That All There Is?"
This time I was with a friend who did not understand the concept, and would not have functioned well being separated from me. I had a good time, but felt absolutely positive that I would have had a better time and explored more if I was solo. So I'm going back next month alone! Don't work to stay with your friends or group. It'll be more fun to compare experiences after it's over!
The show runs on a one hour loop over three hours, so you have a lot of opportunities to explore different characters and storylines, or you can follow three characters from start to finish.
And dress comfortably. Don't be like the woman who wore shoes with a heel, so she clip-clopped wherever she went. Really, you're in the dark and you're going to get hot and sweaty running up and down stairs. People were dressed in all kinds of clothes. And yes, we all wear masks to differentiate us from the actors. It felt exclusive and weird and fun.
At any time during the show, you can retreat to the Manderley bar (another nod to Hitchcock) to rest of have drinks. If you have Maximillian tickets, you have a reserved table. They have jazz during and shortly after. And then before closing, they have a 45 minute improv session with a really funny, witty comedian. We laughed until we cried.
So in closing: pick early time slots, explore the hotel without focusing on the main characters, sometimes auxiliary characters are more interesting or will lead you to bigger things, dress comfortably, don't try to stay with your group, be open minded, pick up on subtle cues from the actors, don't miss out on the bar, jazz, and improv show. Oh, and there is a compulsory bag check, so the less you bring the better. And if you can afford the highest ticket level, it's quite the treat. Beat that line and get a nice table.