About Time You Saw: The Boy Who Climbed Out of His FaceBy Leah Harper
Arriving at The Jetty, a temporary arts venue on the Greenwich Peninsula, it’s easy to imagine you’ve signed up to a relaxing evening of light culture and entertainment. With a number scrawled on the back of your hand by admission staff, audience members are welcomed into a snug and atmospheric space offering food, drinks, live music and a view of boats bobbing tranquilly along the Thames. But don’t get too comfy; you’re in for one hell of a ride.
The Boy Who Climbed Out of His Face is not for the claustrophobic. Don’t like masks? Lifts? The dark? Then I’d probably give it a miss. For everyone else, it’s a must-see (or, rather, a must-experience). Those familiar with Shunt, the artist collective behind this immersive production, will not be surprised to hear that they’re giving very little away about their latest experimental event – although most theatre-goers will already be aware that, in the wake of Punchdrunk’s stratospheric prices, the £10 tickets are an absolute steal.
Shuffling through the series of shipping containers inside which the production is staged, it can feel a little like you’ve fallen down a nightmarish version of the Lewis Carroll’s rabbit hole – although Shunt’s website actually references Heart of Darkness and The Water Babies as the inspiration behind this surrealist concoction. Lasting just 45 minutes, The Boy Who Climbed Out of His Face will leave you with your heart in your mouth, your shoes in a cardboard box and your head full of questions – it’s not for everyone, but it’s certainly worth a visit.
Until 28th September – shunt.co.uk
