Sleep No More, the site-specific Macbeth adaptation that kickstarted a craze for immersive theatre, will close on January 28, 2024.

The loose adaptation, which reimagined Shakespeare's classic as a quasi-dance piece with audience interaction, began previews on March 7, 2011. Nearly 13 years later, it will close on its 5,000th performance, after enjoying more than two million attendees.

In a joint statement, creators Felix Barrett and Maxine Doyle said, “We are incredibly proud of the artistic community Sleep No More has nurtured and the many distinct audiences it has loved in New York. Thirteen years ago, we could never have imagined the astonishing journey this show has been on. It’s had an incalculable impact on us all and will live on in our hearts, seep through our skin and sleep in the deepest parts of our imaginations. We are eternally grateful to everyone involved in this production—the team at Emursive, the brilliant casts and crews and of course the creative team who helped create the show in the first place and fed and sustained it throughout the years in New York. It is the end of an era, but thrilling to know that the Sleep No More adventure is not finished. The production lives on in Shanghai, now in its seventh year, and we are excited to be exploring new productions internationally. So, as we close the doors to the McKittrick and leave part of our hearts on West 27th Street, we look forward to revealing new ones in the future.” Barrett and Doyle are part of the British theatre company Punchdrunk, which first presented Sleep No More in London.

The New York debut of Sleep No More was presented by Emursive's Randy Weiner (The Donkey Show), Arthur Karpati and Jonathan Hochwald—in association with Rebecca Gold Productions. Not able to find an existing venue to accommodate the show, an empty building in the Chelsea neighborhood was transformed into the McKittrick Hotel, a multi-level dining, nightlife, and entertainment venue. 

Said Hochwald and Karpati in a joint statement: “Introducing America to the extraordinary genius of Felix Barrett, Maxine Doyle, and the entire Punchdrunk team’s creative vision has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime. Creating and operating an immersive world at this scale requires the passionate commitment of hundreds of performers, managers, technicians, artisans, executives, and staff. Our brilliant team at Emursive has made the McKittrick Hotel a one-of-a-kind global destination, nurturing the production, bringing their immense talents to the work, and creating lifelong memories for millions.” 

Sleep No More took a non-linear approach to its storytelling, allowing theatregoers to freely explore five floors of the venue, where scenes, tableaux and scenarios play out, conjuring the world and themes of Shakespeare's bloody tale. Audience members don masks and must be silent during the experience. Participants are encouraged to open drawers, pull back curtains, read private notes and journals, and follow the performers. The production has co-direction and choreography by Maxin Doyle and sound design by Stephen Dobbie. Design associates are Beatrice Minns and Livi Vaughan.

It is unknown what show will replace Sleep No More at the McKittrick. Plans are currently underway for The Last New Year’s Eve, a party at the McKittrick to welcome in 2024.

For more information, visit McKittrickHotel.com