A Cognitive Approach to Shakespeare Plays in Immersive Theatre: With a Special Focus on Punchdrunk’s "Sleep No More" in New York (2011-) and Shanghai (2016-)

Emi Hamana

doi:10.18778/2083-8530.21.02

Authors

Emi Hamana Tokyo Woman’s Christian University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/2083-8530.21.02

Keywords:

Cognitive science, 4E cognition, immersive theatre, „Sleep No More”

Abstract

Although cognitive science is an interdisciplinary field, its central questions are ‘what is humanity?’ and ‘what is emotion?’ Since the field of theatre and performing arts is deeply concerned with humans and emotions, we expect that it will contribute to the understanding of these concepts. Immersive theatre is an experimental performance form that emphasizes site, space and design while immersing spectators in a play. The number of immersive theatre companies or productions has been growing worldwide. This paper discusses Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More, directed by Felix Barrett and performed in London (2003), New York (2011-) and Shanghai (2016-). While elucidating the cognitive impact of immersive Shakespeare performances on spectators, this paper aims to uncover new artistic and cultural value in Shakespeare plays performed in an experimental form in order to advance their contemporary relevance.

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Author Biography

Emi Hamana, Tokyo Woman’s Christian University

Emi Hamana, Ph.D. and Professor Emerita of Tsukuba University, is currently Professor of English Literature at Tokyo Woman’s Christian University. She specializes in Shakespeare studies, cultural studies, and English education, focusing on multicultural, multilingual and translingual performances of Shakespeare’s plays worldwide, along with intercultural collaboration in contemporary theatre. Her current research interest concerns cognitive and digital approaches to Shakespeare. She has contributed to The Cambridge Guide to the Worlds of Shakespeare, vol. 2 (Cambridge University Press, 2016) and Shakespeare: His Infinite Variety (Lodz University Press, 2017), and to many academic journals. Her new book, Shakespeare Performances in Japan–Intercultural–Multilingual–Translingual was published in September 2019.

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