Stage Worlds: A UK- China Innovation Partnership

Lead Research Organisation: Newcastle University
Department Name: Newcastle University Business School

Abstract

This project presents a unique performance arts and technology sector collaboration between UK and China-based partners, which will showcase how new technologies, including immersive XR, may open up and bridge experiential theatrical worlds and engage new and younger audiences. All the world is a stage and the stage is a world, but the nature of these worlds of experience is changing dramatically with the potential of new digital affordances. Through two workshop processes of ideation in Shanghai and Newcastle, theatre companies, technology developers and academics will develop project concepts to be implemented in shows accessed both locally and remotely in the UK and China.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description This Partnership Development Award enabled Newcastle University with partners from the performing arts sector, Northern Stage and 59 Productions, and technology developers, Hedgehog Labs, PROTO and the Digital Catapult Centre for the North East and Tees Valley, to scope out possibilities for collaboration with Chinese partners, including SMG, Shanghai Theatre Academy, Shanghai International Arts Festival, Punchdrunk, HDZ, TUSGroup, MaHua Fun and Crystal Productions. The research found that there are opportunities for UK-China collaboration in creative industries R&D, yet there are significant conditions required to advance these opportunities, including timeliness, cultural fit in terms of production values, and aligned perceptions of the opportunity for innovation. There were encouraging relationships established between the UK partners and Chinese counterparts to be developed over time, while some potential pairings did not meet the conditions for advance.
Exploitation Route The partners will continue discussions to explore potential Research and Development in the application of immersive technology to theatrical experiences. One promising possible project involves the development of technology but also training in performance with digital technologies and devices, but the opportunity is dependent on construction of facilities in Shanghai, which have been delayed. This is likely to be facilitated in time also with parallel strengthening of institutional relationships. The project's report back to AHRC and UKRI on the experience and findings should also inform future collaborative programmes with China and other countries.
Sectors Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
 
Description The grant has enabled discussions and cross-fertilisation of ideas and activities between performance arts organisations and technology developers both within the UK and with Chinese counterparts. These have promoted learning among participants, which will be applied in future work, collaborative bids and projects.
First Year Of Impact 2019
Sector Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
Impact Types Cultural,Economic
 
Description Thinking Digital conference panel, PROTO, Gateshead, 15-16th May, 2019. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Around 60 attendees of the Thinking Digital conference attended this session on 'Immersive Technology and the Cultural and Heritage Sectors' in the PROTO Emerging Technologies Centre, Gateshead, 15-16th May, 2019. Professor Jonathan Sapsed and Shaun Allan of PerceptionVR, who were PI and a delegate in the trip to Shanghai gave presentations and served on a panel partly discussing the Stage Worlds project among others, before taking the attendees through to the facilities where they could try the technology and experience VR/AR.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://thinkingdigital.co.uk