The View from Nowhere by CREW and But then begins a journey in my head by Lightwork have been commissioned by Theatre’s New Realities and funded by Royal Holloway University of London in order to showcase some of the most exciting work in development emerging from the field of VR and AR theatre. They explore the challenges of creative processes and digital theatre-making strategies.
The View from Nowhere
Join on Zoom on 15th July at 5pm BST
Covid-19 made the theater -- ‘the space where we breathe the same air’-- defunct. Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams were some of the few shared spaces that were left to us, theatre people.
Instead of connecting directly from private space to private space, we aimed to create a stage in between, adding some kind of mediation.
The View from Nowhere is a short online performance that will be using Zoom in an interactive and interpassive way.
Older ‘robotic’ tools of a CREW 2007 performance are being used to allow a part of the audience to be physically present in the studio (kind of), all at the same time (approximately).
Credits:
Made by Jeremy Killick, Dries Gijsels and Eric Joris.
Technology: Stijn Goethals and Bert Van Dijck
Coordination: Jean Pierre Deschepper
But then begins a journey in my head
Shakespeare’s Sonnets – a VR encounter
This can be viewed at any time
Download for PC here
A YouTube Walkthrough can be seen here that is accessible on all devices
Get up close and personal with 14 of Shakespeare’s Sonnets in different virtual worlds, shared by three mysterious figures for your own intimate encounter.
First published as a collection in 1609, Shakespeare’s 154 Sonnets are multifaceted and mysterious. Shakespeare adapted the highly formal Petrarchan sonnet structure to suit his own games with shape, language and meaning. It is often difficult to put your finger on exactly what’s being said, so playful or double-edged is the expression.
The Sonnets largely focus on love. They are variously teasing, anguished, frustrated, beseeching, impatient, effusive, erotic, admonitory, cautionary, lustful, reflective and pulsing with the lifeblood of amorous encounter. They are also non-linear and multidimensional, all to do with perspective, encounter and intimate exchange.
Shakespeare’s Sonnets particularly lend themselves to an exploration through the technologies of VR and its offer of close personal engagement with shifting worlds and perceptions.
But then begins a journey in my head is a work-in-progress performance for Theatre’s New Realities presenting 14 of Shakespeare’s Sonnets in various VR settings. In each, you will encounter one of three performers, who voices the Sonnet for your ears only in an intimate sharing, a performance of devotion, an act of love.
Credits:
Conceived and designed by Tim White
Co-directed by Tim White and Andy Lavender
Performed by David Annen, Samuel Blenkin, Sharlene Whyte
Producer: Undine Engelmann
Presented by Lightwork in association with the University of Warwick
