The internationally acclaimed immersive theater production "Sleep No More" has made its Korean debut at the McKithan Hotel in central Seoul, transforming a former cinema space into an elaborate theatrical experience. Creative Director Livi Vaughan led the ambitious project of adapting the venue to create the multi-level, labyrinthine environment that has become synonymous with the production's unique approach to theater.
Vaughan, who has been instrumental in bringing the production to various international venues, faced the distinctive challenge of converting the McKithan Hotel's former cinema into a space suitable for the show's intricate requirements. The immersive theater format requires audiences to move freely through different rooms and floors, following masked performers as they enact scenes inspired by Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and Hitchcock's film "Rebecca."
The transformation process involved extensive renovation work to create the atmospheric spaces that transport audiences into the world of the McKittrick Hotel, the fictional setting where the story unfolds. Vaughan's team worked closely with local designers and technicians to ensure that the Seoul production maintained the same high standards and immersive quality that have made "Sleep No More" a global phenomenon since its original New York debut.
The Korean production represents a significant milestone for immersive theater in Asia, offering local audiences their first opportunity to experience this groundbreaking form of entertainment. The show's unique format allows each audience member to create their own narrative journey by choosing which characters to follow and which rooms to explore throughout the three-hour performance.
With its successful adaptation to the Seoul venue, "Sleep No More" continues to demonstrate the universal appeal of immersive theater and the potential for innovative theatrical experiences to transcend cultural boundaries.
