In the town of Paestum, Italy, a unique theatrical experience is taking place. Directed by Chris Salter, the play Animate combines analog theater with immersive virtual reality to explore the tension between the physical and digital worlds in the context of climate change.
The play begins with a simple reading by two actors in front of a small audience. The story follows a young woman and man on a blind date to the Tablelands of Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, a landscape that dates back 450 million years. As the play progresses, the audience is handed VR glasses and guided through the transformed warehouse. They experience a virtual version of the Tablelands, complete with rocks and vegetation.
The purpose of the play is to immerse the audience in a physical experience of climate transformation, blurring the lines between reality and digital space. Salter, known for his multimedia art installations, wanted to extend the reach of his work and create a physically immersive experience of climate change. He chose the short story “Animate” by Kate Story, which focuses on the relationship between humans and the planet, as the narrative foundation for the play. ...
See the full story here; https://gameishard.gg/news/canadian-play-uses-vr-to-make-climate-change-physically-real/34379/