Using the Future to recreate the Past

The evolution of technology has been synonymous with unlocking the past for as long as people have been curious enough to explore it. As a race, we are closer to understanding the past than ever before. It no longer seems ironic, therefore, to use the advances in multimedia performance to recreate, and provide context to historical pieces. For example;’ Richard Beacham re-created ancient theatres using Virtual Reality, and ieVR harnessed the technology to create a computer generated, three-dimensional sets inhabited by live actors.’ (Dixon, 2007). With this in mind, various historical plays could take on a whole new aesthetic. Creating Gods on stage becomes more of a creative challenge than a logistical nightmare.

The use of projection during the workshop further illustrated the multiple uses and effects that can be created. By layering projections, actors can become ghost like in appearance, or two actors on top of each other create a figure morphing between two people. It is effects like these that have the potential to become something integral to our piece. Dixon also mentions the use of live actors working with projection. The production of Actors and Children take to the Street, by 1927, utilised projection by creating a 1920’s backdrop, through which live actors performed. Using projection also means animals can be created and used on set, without actually having to obtain an animal.

Therefore, my initial thoughts are that there is a wealth of potential for pieces to be performed. An immersive production of Doctor Faustus, with projected demons running through the audience, or various Greek plays, where the action takes place off stage, could be visualised.