In 1912, two London bookbinders were commissioned to create a luxurious jeweled binding for a book that became known as The Great Omar. Hugely valuable, the book was purchased by a buyer and was packed safely aboard a boat bound for New York. On the 15 of April 1912 the HMS Titanic sank along with the book and a sea of secrets were never recovered. Until now…
In this theatrical thriller, audiences will explore a hidden world created for a maximum of just four people at a time – a uniquely intimate show to share with friends, family and some unexpected characters along the way.
The Drop is Swamp Motel’s most ambitious production to date, created within their trademark mould of interactive, exhilarating experiences that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. They will transform an abandoned East London location and using cutting edge technology and inventive storytelling, audiences will be planted onto the set of their very own visceral thriller.
The Drop and its storyworld will expand further in early 2022, with an interactive film experience, created in collaboration with The Lowry as part of its Live Now commissioning programme. This online counterpart will allow for audiences across the world to step into Swamp Motel’s latest theatrical conspiracy from a different perspective, from the comfort of home. More details to be announced in the coming months.
Creators Ollie Jones and Clem Garritty formed Swamp Motel in 2017. Both co-founders of the critically acclaimed comedy theatre company Kill the Beast, they have been weaving immersive storytelling webs for the stage and screen around the world together for over ten years. Now for the first time, The Drop will give UK audiences the opportunity to experience a full-scale live Swamp Motel production, in their home city of London.
Clem Garritty and Ollie Jones commented: “We can’t wait to make our return to live entertainment with The Drop. It’s an ambitious and elaborate production that explores the rich history and tale of tragedy surrounding one of the world’s most famous texts, The Great Omar. Like all our work, audiences will be right at the centre of the story, a story we hope will leave them questioning what was real and what wasn’t long after they leave.
This has been a long time in the making for us so we’re particularly excited to premiere it in our home city of London this autumn as the culture scene bounces back to life.”
Alongside The Drop, Swamp Motel recently secured a deal with Gaumont UK (British arm of studio behind Narcos and Lupin) with their online Isklander trilogy now set for TV adaptation, and by popular demand the online trilogy – Plymouth Point, The Mermaid’s Tongue and The Kindling Hour – relaunched with some brand new added features and challenges all available to experience online anywhere across the UK and internationally now.
The Drop is strictly limited to 20 sessions per day. A limited number of tickets go on sale this Friday 24 September 2021 at 10am. Previews will commence on 28 October. The official opening is on Saturday 13 November and runs through to Friday 31 December 2021. Visit thedropexperience.co.uk.
Credits
Created and Devised by Clem Garritty, Ollie Jones, Peter Hobday and Sadie Spencer
Producer Will Herman
Designer Clem Garritty
Associate Designer Elouise Farley
Sound Designer Emmet O’Donnell
Creative Technologist Leo Woolcock
Production Manager Dominic Baker
Web Developer James Drury
Graphic Designer Gareth Paul Jones
About Swamp Motel
Founded by multi-award-winning theatre and experience makers, Swamp Motel creates entertainment that blurs boundaries between theatre, film and gaming. By giving audiences a pivotal role within story-worlds, Swamp Motel’s innovative productions are always live, social and thrilling whether experiencing them in an unexpected venue, from your sofa or your desk.
Founders and Creative Directors Ollie Jones and Clem Garritty have collaborated artistically for over 10 years. Both are Creative Associates at Punchdrunk and together they co-founded the multi-award winning and critically acclaimed comedy theatre company Kill the Beast. Swamp Motel was born from a desire to tell imaginative and daring stories through immersive experiences – thrilling audiences without limitations.
For the past four years, Swamp Motel have created experiences for stage, screen and live events in London, New York and Sydney. Today, the Motel is a dynamic, independent entertainment company that harnesses the best talent and craftsmanship that the theatrical world has to offer.
Over 2020-21 Swamp Motel created the Isklander trilogy of online multimedia mystery games – Plymouth Point, The Mermaid’s Tongue and The Kindling Hour. The first instalment, Plymouth Point was recognised in 2021 with a Webby Honouree as part of the 25th Annual Webby Awards. More than 65,000+ people have experienced the trilogy to date.
In June 2021, Swamp Motel teamed up with Amazon Prime Video to create Panic, The Experience – an online experience to coincide with the release of the Amazon Original one-hour drama series, Panic. In July Swamp Motel confirmed a deal with Gaumont UK to option the film and TV rights to Isklander trilogy.
The Drop is Swamp Motel’s first full-scale live production, in their home city of London.
For a breakdown of access and covid measures in place relating to The Drop, visit:
https://www.thedropexperience.co.uk/faqs.
