Ian McKellen to star in UK premiere of ‘mixed reality’ play
Audiences in Manchester will be asked to wear smart glasses for An Ark, which debuted in New York this year
TL;DR
- Ian McKellen will star in the UK premiere of the 'mixed reality' play 'An Ark' in Manchester.
- The play uses smart glasses to project virtual actors into the audience's space, blending virtual and real elements.
- Audiences will see a virtual presence of McKellen rather than his physical performance on stage.
- The 47-minute production explores themes of life and death through actors sharing intimate stories.
- Four actors, including McKellen, were filmed with 52 cameras for the production.
- Factory International is producing the play at Aviva Studios from March 27 to April 10.
- The theatre plans public events to discuss the future and ethics of mixed reality technology.
- Factory International also announced plans for a special production of Philip Glass's opera 'Einstein on the Beach'.