Inside The Carriageworks

A series of masterclasses, workshops and tours focusing on all aspects of Punchdrunk’s site-sympathetic approach to making work.

Overview

Saturday 2 – Friday 15 November 2024

These experiences will be open to anyone who wants a deeper insight into the process and approach our creative team takes to unlock the possibilities of a space, create intricate design, build different environments with lighting and sound, and translate source texts into an unforgettable audience journey.

You could be an artist looking to develop your own practice or are just eager to explore the worlds we have created at our home in Woolwich. 

For those eager to unpack the making of Viola’s Room, our new offerings join our existing programme to unlock the core elements of building this new show. Q&A talks with the Creative team and a brand new tour of the Viola’s Room set also join this series. 

For those who would like to learn more about the hidden stories of The Burnt City, our intimate set tours continue with our knowledgeable guide to reveal the secret spaces in the city of Troy.

For more information, including location, access, local tickets and bursary places, please visit our FAQs.

Local Tickets and Bursary Places

Local TicketsMore info

A limited number of discounted tickets are available for customers living in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, a maximum of two per booking. If you have booked with Punchdrunk before and have an eligible postcode, you will be able to access these concessions by logging in to your account and selecting standard tickets, the discount will be applied before you check out.

If you are a local resident who has not booked with us historically, you can set up an account by visiting https://www.punchdrunk.com/my-account/ and adding your RBG postal address during setup. Please note, you will need to complete your account setup before selecting any tickets.

If you are eligible for an Essential Companion ticket and are also a local resident, please add two tickets to your basket. Your complimentary companion ticket will be applied at checkout.

*A booking fee of £2.50 applies to each ticket. Your billing address must contain a Royal Borough of Greenwich postcode in order to qualify for the confession.

Punchdrunk_workshop_141223_Joe_Twigg
Local Bursary PlacesMore info

A limited number of Bursary places are also available for £5, specifically for customers who are Global Majority and who live in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. For further details and to express your interest, please complete this form here. Successful applicants will be contacted seven days prior to each event.

Punchdrunk Workshop - Joe Twigg
Early Creative Bursary PlacesMore info

There is one place available per event that is free at point of access for those who are in the early stages of their creative career. For further details and to express your interest, please complete this form here. Successful applicants will be contacted seven days prior to each event.

Masterclasses

Design Masterclass
Design Masterclass with Casey Jay AndrewsMore info

Explore the key aspect of storytelling through design in this new Viola’s Room Design Masterclass.

Join Viola’s Room Designer Casey Jay Andrews as she guides you through the early stages of imagining Punchdrunk’s newest world, and how to use design to build character and era. From working with a source text, to working site-sympathetically with a variety of scale, this masterclass aims to challenge traditional approaches to design, and provide fresh insights to develop your own creative work.

Previous attendee:

‘It was very inspiring to hear about the process of conceptually and practically designing the show. The practical hands-on exercises were very valuable.’

When:

Friday 15 November, 10am-2pm (four hours)

Where:

Punchdrunk Labs

Who:

Creatives and mid-career professionals who wish to apply the insight gained through this masterclass to their own professional career.

Tickets:

£350, £195 for local residents

Workshops

Performance Workshop
Performance WorkshopMore info

Delve into the work and performance practice of Punchdrunk, the ‘world’s leading immersive theatre company’ (GQ Magazine).

Back by popular demand, join a member of The Burnt City’s company as they explore the unique process for performers, developed by Felix Barrett and Maxine Doyle, which has inspired and crafted Punchdrunk’s immersive work on The Burnt City. Over two days, you will learn how to create genre-defying experiences through physical performance on The Burnt City’s set.

Previous attendee: ‘Such a wonderful, explorative, creative few days in a wholly supportive, nurturing environment. It was incredibly well structured, and a truly eye-opening insight into the devising structure of Punchdrunk.’

When:

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 November, 10am-4pm (six hours each day, including breaks)

Where:

Punchdrunk Labs

Who:

Ages 16+ with an interest in performance. No experience necessary.

Tickets:

£300, local residents £180.

Punchdrunk Tunnel 228
Production Management WorkshopMore info

Learn how to transform abandoned spaces into the fantastic worlds Punchdrunk plunges its audience into.

Back by popular demand, this Production Management workshop provides you with insight into the Production department’s role in building an immersive, site-specific experience at Punchdrunk. Through dynamic activities and exercises on the set of The Burnt City, our Production Manager, Rich Irvine, will give you the tools to think and problem solve creatively, as well as give an overview of how to deliver a project that breaks the mould of theatrical experience.

Previous attendee: ‘The quality, depth, and richness of the insights and knowledge provided by the team were incredible. The ability to roam around the set and actually see what was done and understand how it was done was invaluable.’

When:

Friday 8 November, 10am-2pm (four hours)

Where:

Punchdrunk Labs

Who:

Ages 16+ with an interest and experience in Production Management, Lighting and Sound.

Tickets:

£100, local residents £60.

Tours

1-1 Tour
1:1 Room TourMore info

Explore the secret spaces of Troy in this 1:1 Room Tour. Led by The Burnt City Associate Director and long-time Punchdrunk Performer, Sarah Dowling, this exclusive tour will give you access to the stories behind each 1:1 space, and the ability to unlock the missing pieces of The Burnt City puzzle.

Previous attendee: ‘Sarah was a fantastic guide and it was lovely to understand all of the work that happens behind the scenes to create the 1:1s. Hearing more about the process of how the team designs and refines the experiences was incredibly interesting and made me appreciate Punchdrunk even more.’

When:

Various dates & times, Thu 7 & Sat 9 November (120 minutes).

Where:

Punchdrunk Main Entrance

Who:

Ages 11+ (under 16s accompanied by an adult). Anyone with an interest in The Burnt City, Punchdrunk, Greek mythology or immersive world-building.

Tickets:

Weekday: £90, local residents £50.
Weekend: £110, local residents £60.

Access patron tickets include a complimentary companion ticket.

Viola's room, showcasing a desk and a stylish floor lamp, ideal for creating immersive experiences.
Viola’s Room Set TourMore info

Step inside the labyrinthine world of Viola’s Room with this exclusive free-roam set tour. Offering unprecedented access to the intricacies of the show’s design, this experience allows you to explore the atmospheric set at your own pace. Uncover the secrets that bring Viola’s Room to life with a unique Q&A session, giving you the chance to delve deeper into the making of Viola’s Room. This is a rare opportunity to engage with the magic behind the scenes in this brand new offering.

When:

Various times, Monday 4 November (90 minutes)

Where:

Punchdrunk (main entrance)

Who:

Ages 11+ (under 16s accompanied by an adult). Anyone with an interest in Viola’s Room, Punchdrunk, or immersive world-building.

Tickets:

£45, local residents £25

Access patron tickets include a complimentary companion ticket.

Q&As

Q & A With Designer Casey Jay Andrews
Q&A with Designer Casey Jay AndrewsMore info

Join Designer Casey Jay Andrews in this exclusive Q&A session running alongside Viola’s Room performances. In this 60-minute conversation, you’ll gain insight into the design process, and the inspiration behind Viola’s Room, and the creative vision behind the show. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear directly from the Designer bringing Viola’s Room to life.

When:

Friday 15 November, 6pm

Where:

Punchdrunk (main entrance)

Tickets:

£25 VIP (includes a complimentary pin badge and a drink)
£10 standard

FAQs

Where is Punchdrunk Labs located?

We are still based in Woolwich, so please use the usual transport links to get to us. Please head to the 1 Cartridge Place entrance for the standard tours. However, for workshops and masterclasses, you will not enter via the entrance you may have historically used to visit The Burnt City or Viola’s Room.

For the most accurate way to find us, please refer to what3words.

WHAT3WORDS

How do I qualify for a bursary place?

There are up to three bursary places available for each event which will be selected at random. To apply, please see the relevant sections above.

I have access requirements, how do I book?

TOURS

If you have access requirements, including using a wheelchair, there are a number of Access Tickets available via Punchdrunk directly. You will also be able to book a complimentary Essential Companion ticket. If you have any questions about the content and facilities or would like to book, please email [email protected]

The experience is wheelchair accessible. It takes place across two levels with some areas only accessible to wheelchair users by lift (total maximum weight limit is 400kg). If you use a larger wheelchair some areas of the show will be restricted. Due to the existing architecture there is a minimum door width of 800mm. The lift’s dimensions are 1m deep x 1.2m wide.

There are accessible toilets in different locations across the site.

There is no Changing Places facility on site.

MASTERCLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

Please email [email protected] to discuss how we can support your access requirements.

Is there a local residents’ discount if I live in the Royal Borough of Greenwich?

Yes, these are capped per experience and you must provide proof of residence when you arrive. To book as a local resident, you’ll simply need to enter the qualifying postcode in your billing address at the payment stage.

If the discount is not applied, then we have sold out of the capped Local Resident tickets for that particular event.

How do I need to prepare/what do I need to bring to my masterclass/workshop?

You should wear comfortable attire and bring water which will be refillable on site. We will send you a pre-visit email within 24 hours of the event reminding you of this, how to gain access and a more detailed itinerary.

The Performance Workshop is across two days. Do I need a separate ticket for each day?

No, you will receive one ticket which covers your attendance to both of the days. It is not possible to purchase a ticket for an individual day.