Kreuzfeuer

by Evie Gallagher

On the 11th May 1915, the crew of the SM U-20, a German U-Boat, must make a difficult decision when they come across the RMS Lusitania. Will they choose to fire a torpedo at the passenger liner, or refuse their Captain’s orders and face court martial deep below the surface?

Immersion was key to the production in order to emphasise the claustrophobic and chilling atmosphere throughout. This was achieved through the use of detailed and evolving ambiences to depict the U-Boat, from the creaking of metal to the gushing of water. This also extends to the torpedo sequence which consists of intricate layering techniques to create the composite effect.

Submarine Ambience (before submerge)

Submarine Ambience (after submerge)

Submerge Sequence

Torpedo Sequence

Another key moment where sound elevates the scene is when the crew are disturbed by the merciless nature of the sinking and the death of thousands. An abrasive and gut-wrenching soundscape is subjected to the audience to reflect this, from bloodcurdling screams to the deafening creaking and groaning of the sinking ship.

In addition, original ambient music was produced for the show’s preset. It used haunting strings, mutating synthetic textures and hollow electric piano chords to emulate the bleak and abyssal nature of being submerged in the ocean.

Shipwreck Soundscape

Thalassophobia

Photos by Kira Thomasson