Varyon VR
Project details
| Project Lead | Klaus Kruse/Ciaran Clarke |
|---|---|
| Centre alignment | |
| Start Date | September 2020 |
| End Date | Ongoing |
This research project looked at creating a prototype for an adaptable and interactive virtual theatre space where actors and audience can meet.
Varyon VR enables users to construct and animate immersive theatrical sets without having to be able to program or code. The theatrical set consists of 16 interconnected panels that surround the audience. Each of the panels functions as a video screen that can either playback pre-recorded footage or live stream video.
Primary audiences experience the virtual space by wearing VR headsets and secondary audiences are also able to view the event via a live stream.
Varyon VR allows audiences and performers to interact and communicate directly with one another in real-time via the live streaming function. Users operate the application using phone cameras or computer webcams, ensuring that the tool has wide accessibility.
This application can be used to stage and rehearse performances remotely and is geared towards usage in both professional and educational contexts.
Project team
The Varyon VR project team includes:
- Klaus Kruse - Direction and design production and app development
- Ciaran Clarke - Technical direction design production and app development
- Stephen Banbury - VR development production and app development
- Mark Laville - Executive producer, Not Near Enough production
- Hannah Wood - Dramaturgy, Not Near Enough production
- Verity Standen - Vocal direction, Not Near Enough production
Klaus Kruse
Senior Lecturer, Theatre
Klaus Kruse is a director, scenographer, performer, poet and songwriter based in the UK since 2002 a...
Ciaran Clarke
Lecturer
Ciaran began as a Lecturer at Falmouth whilst studying his for his PhD in 2018, teaching across Acti...
Professor Ana Jose
Online Tutor, Business & Marketing BSc(Hons) (Online)
With more than 20 years in the transformative world of education, marketing and corporate social res...
Laura Battersby
Lecturer, Architecture BA(Hons)
Laura is the Year 1 Lead on the BA Architecture course. She is responsible for organising the Year 1...
Susannah Travis
Digital Skills Manager
I lead the digital skills training team at Falmouth University and deliver many of our courses. I...
Partners
Varyon VR is being supported by Living Structures, StoryFutures Academy and the South West Creative Technology Network.
Funders
This project has been supported by grant funding from the following funding bodies:
Living Structures
Living Structures envelop audiences in physical structures and contraptions that transform volume, s...
StoryFutures Academy
StoryFutures Academy is the UK’s National Centre for Immersive Storytelling run by the Nation...
South West Creative Technology Network
The South West Creative Technology Network (SWCTN) is a £6.5 million project to expand the use of c...
European Union: European Social Fund
Each year the ESF helps millions of Europeans improve their lives by learning new skills and finding...
Research England
Research England is a council within UK Research and Innovation. Research England oversee UK Researc...
Project value
Total value £19,000
Outcomes & outputs
Varyon VR was presented at the National Student Drama Festival 2021. The project team, along with Gwirvos Theatre and students from Falmouth University, premiered the theatre show Not Near Enough which was devised to showcase the immersive digital theatre installation.
Impact & recognition
Although the project is still in its early stages, Varyon VR aims to offer new technologies for theatre performers and audiences to interact with one another. Varyon VR is designed to also offer new and innovative methods for productions to be staged and rehearsed remotely.
The project has offered Falmouth University students the opportunity to design software and gain experience in staging shows using innovative VR technology. Varyon VR has also influenced module delivery at Falmouth University, with the software being employed as part of the Immersive and Interactive Theatre module.
Media
Public media for Varyon VR includes:
