Tag: theatre

Ground-breaking live stage show asks audience to ‘game’ their way through performance in real time – 7 Deadly Sins in The Civic Theatre on July 12th and 13th

Imagine a stage-show where you don’t just immerse yourself in the story, enjoy the music and marvel at the spectacle, but you also get to actively ‘game’ your way through the performance and influence what happens on stage?

‘7 Deadly Sins’ is the world’s first hybrid eGaming and storytelling stage show, and it will premier a number of development performances in The Civic Theatre, Tallaght on the 12th and 13th of July. Utilising ground-breaking mapping technology, created in partnership with Maynooth University, the audience use a simple app on their mobile phone to become ‘active’ participants, creating a seamless interaction between the audience and performers in real-time. So instead of being told to ‘put your phone away’ when you enter the theatre, this performance will be asking you to get your phone out and be a part of the show!

This steam-punk rock opera, created by Irish playwright and technologist Niall Austin and directed by Prof. David Bassuk, re-imagines Dante Alighieri’s iconic 14th century masterpiece ‘Inferno’ for the 21st century. The 7 Deadly Sins are positioned as digital or social media channels such as:

  • Photo and video sharing apps represent Envy
  • Dating apps represent Lust
  • Cryptocurrency represents Greed

While the performance is taking place live on stage, audience members can engage in combat with an array of virtual demons, zombies and dragons through an app available on IOS and Android. Spectators are encouraged to hold up their phones during the show and partake in the performance by using the app which features augmented reality gaming technology contextually designed around the on-stage production.

Starring opera sensation Claudia Boyle, rising hip-hop star Fortune Igiebor and singer and actress Aoife Spratt, the performance also features a host of other, never before seen interactive features.

Niall Austin, the show’s creator, says: “7 Deadly Sins not only brings a traditional piece of literature into the 21st century, it is a dynamic experience which offers the audience a new frontier in live entertainment – where technology, narrative and performance marry together create an unforgettable stage show. Live entertainment is constantly evolving with many young people now attending concerts and shows to take photos and videos. I am looking forward to enhancing audience engagement and creating an incredible experience for attendees.”

Donal Shiels, Artistic Director at The Civic, says: “It is an exciting time in the world of theatre where technology can be incorporated into stage productions to create a new and interesting experience for audience members. We are delighted to be bringing a world first to The Civic Theatre as we remain committed to evolving with the ever changing technology landscape. Following the incredible success of Niall’s last two shows – PL-AI and Deep Fake – we are looking forward to seeing the interaction between the audience and the performers.”

 7 Deadly Sins takes place in The Civic Theatre, Tallaght on Friday 12th July and Saturday 13th July at 7:30pm

 As a ‘development performance, tickets are available for €12 here: https://www.civictheatre.ie/whats-on/7-deadly-sins/

Sony announces new Portable Theatre System that delivers immersive spatial sound in any room

Sony has just announced the HT-AX7 – a portable theatre system that offers a new way to enjoy entertainment in spatial and room-filling sound, anywhere throughout your home. By simply placing the three speakers around you, you can enjoy a captivating audio experience not only in your living room but also in bedrooms, balconies, or any other space you desire.

Cinematic sound anywhere

Immerse yourself in a surround sound experience with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology. 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology creates multiple phantom speakers at the front, rear, and overhead, enveloping you in spatial sound.You can experience a surround sound sensation similar to being in a movie theatre by simply placing three speakers around you, without the need for any special installations like embedding speakers in the ceiling.

The HT-AX7 also features Sony’s upmixer algorithm which can transform stereo into three-dimensional surround sound. The upmixer analyses sound in real-time and separates individual sound objects, redistributing them to create a more immersive listening experience. Activate the sound field effect to experience a surround sound-like effect, even with 2-channel content such as content from streaming services.

Rich room-filling sound for your daily life

By positioning the three speakers in the corners of your room, the HT-AX7 can produce room-filling sound that enhances your everyday activities, from housework to parties, making your favourite music and content even richer.　Easily set up without any special configuration, simply position the speakers and turn off the sound field effect for a hassle-free experience. With complete wireless connectivity, you can set it up without worrying about complicated layout

Easily portable

With up to 30 hours of battery life and wireless connectivity via Bluetooth® technology, you can easily take the HT-AX7 to any room in your home and connect it to your favourite devices. Unlike traditional home theatre systems that require you to be seated in front of the TV, the HT-AX7’s portable design allows you to enjoy content in a whole new way; on any Bluetooth enabled device.

 

Plus, there are no wires to disrupt your room’s layout. The HT-AX7’s sleek and versatile design seamlessly blends with any interior decor for a stylish and cohesive look. The detachable rear speakers, with their lightweight design and one-handed portability, can be conveniently placed wherever you like.

No fuss, all fun

The HT-AX7 is also easy to set up using the Sony | Hone Entertainment Connect app. Once you download the app, it guides you through the initial setting and troubleshooting, enabling you to have complete control over volume, sound field, and more, all from your smartphone.

Thanks to Bluetooth® technology connecting the HT-AX7 to your device is seamless and the wireless rear speakers are automatically paired to the main unit, so you can place the speakers around your room, press play and get immersed.

Environment in mind

Sony’s home audio products are designed not only for an excellent sound experience but also with the environment in mind. Sony is committed to using less plastic in its products and packaging. The speaker body utilises a fabric material made from 100% recycled PET bottles and incorporates recycled plastics. The individual packaging features Sony’s proprietary Original Blended Material, which is derived from bamboo, sugarcane, and recycled paper collected from the market. This Original Blended Material has enabled us to eliminate the use of plastic in our packaging.

This all helps to reduce the ecological impact while maintaining superb acoustic performance and a stylish design. To learn more, please visit: https://www.sony.net/electronics/eco-hav

Pricing and availability

The HT-AX7 will be available from August 2023 priced at approximately £499

The Performance Corporation presents the ground breaking Live and Virtual Reality (VR) experience Emperor 101 at SXSW 11-14 March 2022

Award-winning theatrical innovators The Performance Corporation will present their cutting edge experience Emperor 101 at the world famous tech/arts festival, first presented at Dublin Theatre Festival 2021. The production allows live performers to interact with audiences in Live Virtual Reality (VR) and explore the explosion of online conspiracy theories, and the parallel rise of far-right extremism. For this presentation, the performers will be in 2 separate countries, the server that supports the tech in another, and the audience in headsets in Austin.

This ground-breaking production, is at the cutting edge of an emerging crossover between theatre and Virtual Reality. The Performance Corporation is one of the first theatre companies in the world to design and build a bespoke virtual world in which to stage a Live VR experience. In this VR space, live actors and audience inhabit avatars that allow them to interact and speak to each other in real time.

Speaking about the production, Artistic Director of The Performance Corporation Jo Mangan said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be part of what we believe is a new departure for theatre. I believe that by creating this kind of live and interactive performance in a specially designed virtual space, we can open up a huge array of new possibilities. We’re lucky to have an amazing team working on Emperor 101 to create this completely new experience for theatre audience and thrilled to be taking it to the prestigious SXSW with the support of Culture Ireland.”

The Performance Corporation believes plays like Emperor 101 have huge potential, and plan to further develop this digital genre in the future. The company envisages future live VR productions that would be available to audience members in locations across the world simultaneously, opening up new theatrical frontiers.

In the play, we meet a notorious conspiracy theorist who has built a Virtual Reality space to induct recruits to her organisation. She wants her country to go back to the past, but her own traumatic history is threatening to destroy the movement she has built.

Emperor 101 immerses the audience in an alternate world that reflects the mind and motivations of a conspiracy theorist. In a time when the very notion of truth or facts is called into question, the innovative use of VR reflects the multiple realities or ‘bubbles’ we live in. The piece riffs on influences from ancient mythology to Alice in Wonderland, and asks if rejection of the ‘mainstream’ is a product of fear, or the ultimate act of self-empowerment in a complex world.

Emperor 101 begins with an intimate in person interaction with a live performer. The audience then puts on a Virtual Reality headset and is led through a series of interactive environments. Here they experience live interaction with performer avatars. The story explores the inner life of a high profile conspiracy theorist as she struggles with a personal tragedy that has turned the world upside down.

Company

Cast: Caitríona Ní Mhurchú and Karl Quinn

Directed by Jo Mangan

Script Tom Swift

Design Leon Butler and Peter Power

VR Producer Camille Donegan

Immersive Media Studio RETinIZE

Produced by The Performance Corporation