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Proximity: The Power of Nearness in Mixed Reality Performance

Volumetric capture and mixed reality offer an opportunity to cross physical and psychological thresholds that traditionally separate performer and audience, inviting potentially complex feelings in the viewer about traversing public and private spheres. The team behind Museum of Austerity will share discoveries about activating the power of nearness in mixed reality, including thoughts on audience wellbeing and access.  Winner of IDFA DocLab Immersive Non-Fiction Award 2022, Museum of Austerity is a mixed reality exhibition that preserves the memory of disabled British benefit claimants who died between 2010-2020, inviting audiences to contemplate close up what happens when state safety nets fail.

Sacha Wares is a critically acclaimed British director. Her theatre credits include the multi-award winning production Sucker Punch starring Daniel Kaluuya (Royal Court) and Jung Chang’s Wild Swans (Young Vic, London; A.R.T., Boston). XR work includes Museum of Austerity (LFF, IDFA) and Adult Children (LFF). She is founder of Trial & Error Studio, innovation associate at English Touring Theatre, an associate artist at the Donmar Warehouse, and associate director at the National Theatre’s Immersive Storytelling Studio.

John Pring is editor of Disability News Service, which he launched to address the absence of in-depth reporting in both the specialist and mainstream media on issues affecting the lives of disabled people. He was associate producer of The Truth About Disability Benefits: Dispatches (Channel 4), and is the author of Longcare Survivors: The Biography of a Care Scandal.

Adrian Lee is a British composer and improvising musician specializing in music for theatre, TV, film and XR. He has composed and directed music for numerous productions including for the RSC,  National Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, BBC, Channel 4 and NatGeo. His recent work includes collaborating with director, Sacha Wares on soundtracks for two XR premieres, Adult Children and Museum of Austerity (LFF, 2021). During the pandemic, he performed and co-presented online performances with improvised music ensembles Comb Filter and Big Glitch.

Museum of Austerity is co-produced by English Touring Theatre, the National Theatre Storytelling Studio and Trial & Error Studio.

Content Warning: This talk may make reference to subject matter some people may find distressing, including death, suicide and mental distress.