Marking yet another year, my twenty-ninth birthday is one I shall cherish forever. The thrilling and memorable experience has snapped me out of a wretched blog coma and encouraged me to document the celebration!

With the feverish efforts of my dearest friends Marcus Fiore, Barret Wertz, Paul Zansler, and my darling boyfriend Trevor Eckles- a marvelous evening of surprises were had at ‘Sleep No More’ located at the McKittrick Hotel at 530 West 27th Street in Chelsea, NYC.

Our rendezvous began on The High Line elevated park where Marcus kept me in suspense on every sneaky detail. I then received a cheeky text that led us into the McKittrick. The four of us Marcus, Barret, Paul, and I poured into the nostalgic bar while sharing cocktails in 1930s fashion. Shortly after, we were masked, warned to hush-up, and then parted into the black halls of a six-story warehouse.

As I unknowingly began my quest into darkness, the beautiful yet morbid set designs provoked my curiosity. Taunting fellow masked guests riffled through cabinets, as I read through journals and carefully examined props. Suddenly a handsome male actor called upon the floor’s attention, aroused in abnormal curiosity we quickly followed running through halls and stairways as he silently performed sexual and deviant acts. Steadily he and alternate actors thrillingly unveiled the unique interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic play Macbeth.

Ravishingly designed halls, spaces, and rooms are lit to nightmarish perfection. Mysterious figures are found lurking about; betraying, murdering, and sexually indulging with one another. While mural like scenes are dramatically acted out, nude orgy and techno sacrifices are had.

The Sleep No More presentation is developed by the well-known British theatre company Punch Drunk, and directed by Felix Barrett and Maxine Doyle. Available to book from now through November 3, the erotic demonstration of dance and silent interaction between both the actors and the guests runs approximately two hours long. The experience is said to be unique for each guest and every visit, and while it is not by any means a source of Macbeth facts, I highly recommend attending with an open mind.

On a more personal note, a delightful surprise came over while silently identifying masked friends throughout the experience based on posture and of course fashion. Meanwhile directly after the show Marcus quickly unmasked a few of the guest, who turned out to be friends Andrea Blythe and Christopher Blomquist who were also there to celebrate the birthday festivities.

As we indulged in a fiery punch cocktail at Gallow Green, the Hotel’s rooftop bar, the beautiful Annabella gifted a seed of protection that was planted by all of us. She carefully placed the root into each of our hands, we then sourced a location and dug up a place for the seed to call home.

I can’t express how wonderful the night was, it’s moments like these that are shared and created by loved ones that we never forget. Please check out some of the enchanting performers, who needless to say left my trousers twitching about!!!

-R