Lyric helps to rewrite the narrative on digital theatre

Funded by Future Screens NI and NI Screen, in partnership with Belfast-based immersive technology specialists Sentireal and Professor Pedro Rebelo from the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast, the project called ‘Rewriting the Narrative’ will explore the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance the audience experiences in context of social distancing restrictions due to Covid-19.

As part of an open call to the Northern Ireland creative industries, ‘Rewriting the Narrative’ asked applicants to explore where and how the changes of the Covid-19 pandemic are happening in the creative industries, and importantly how we can learn from the ongoing crisis in order to strengthen the future of the industry.

The global impact of Covid-19 has forced theatres across the UK and Ireland to close their doors as social distancing restricts live audience experiences.

The Lyric Theatre already estimates that only 10-20% of their audience would be able to return to the venue to experience theatre live, with socially distanced measures in place.

“With the impacts of Covid-19 likely to be in place for many months to come it poses the questions - how can audiences return to theatre in a safe and socially distanced way and in what ways can the digital experience replace or enhance the live theatre experience?

The Lyric Theatre had already been exploring the potential use of digital technology on audiences.

Earlier this year, they received a £10,000 Creative Industries Seed Fund grant from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Department of Communities to enhance their schools programme Blackout, with an immersive technology experience.

The project, also supported by Future Screens NI and Digital Catapult will now take place in later in the year but will form the basis for the ‘Rewriting the Narrative’ research project.

The use of new, emerging and immersive technology within Blackout will help to provide an understanding of technological experiences on live theatre.

Claire Murray, head of development and marketing at the Lyric Theatre, said:

“We have always been interested in exploring the Lyric’s ever-evolving relationship with its audience, including how we can harness digital technologies to enhance the audience experience and widen the scope of live theatrical performance.

“‘Rewriting the Narrative’ will enable the team at the Lyric to enhance, reshape and adapt our original plan to focus on testing if and how digital can complement the ‘reduced’ and limited live experience of theatre.

“This research is now a much more urgent consideration for all arts organisations and venues, and we hope that the results can provide insight and recommendations for the whole industry.”

Professor Paul Moore, from Future Screens NI, commented: “Covid-19 has changed the nature of activity within the creative economy. Future Screens NI is delighted to work in partnership with the Lyric Theatre to develop new forms of audience engagement using new, immersive and emerging technology. Extending the audience and experience of theatre beyond the physical has the potential to place the audience at the heart of the performance, and Future Screens NI is privileged to work with such recognised partners to consider ways in which this can be achieved.

“It is our hope that this project will play a considerable part in the crafting of new forms of creative and theatrical experiences.”

Matthew Malcolm, Creative Industries Development Officer at Arts Council NI, added: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on our theatres and live audiences. Whilst it’s heartening to see a date announced for reopening, theatres and performances spaces still face the huge challenge of reduced audiences due to social distancing requirements and will need to adapt and explore alternative ways to engage audiences.

“The Lyric Theatre’s ‘Rewriting the Narrative’ research project is leading the way in the exploration of innovative technologies for audiences to experience and enjoy live theatre remotely and we look forward to seeing the results of this impressive undertaking which potentially could have far reaching impacts for the entire Northern Ireland arts sector.”

The Lyric Theatre has also welcomed its first performance in over five months - a rehearsal and audio recording of Denouement, a new play by Irish writer John Morton, starring theatre giants Marie Jones and Ian McElhinney.

The recording will be included in the Traverse Festival, a new year-round online programme of activity from the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and will be available for audiences to enjoy online for two weeks from September 7.

Set in Ireland during the apocalypse, 2048, Denouement follows Edel (Marie Jones) and Liam (Ian McElhinney), a couple in their 60s who are facing the end of the world.

Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer at Lyric Theatre, said: “Whilst we were devastated to postpone an entire season dedicated to staging new work, we are delighted to open our doors and welcome the cast and creative team of Denouement for their rehearsal and audio recording for Traverse Festival 2020.” 

For further information visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk.