On the stage of the National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera House, there are no actors or sets. Instead, massive multimedia screens dominate the scene. In these cinematic-quality projections, Chinese actors portraying characters from Shakespeare bring the world-famous classic play to life on a grand stage created through digital technology.
On June 3, China's first XR digital drama "Macbeth" premiered grandly at the National Centre for the Performing Arts Opera House. The event brought to the thousands of attendees not just a unique piece of art, but also a profound experience that fused digital virtual technology with the arts of theater and cinema.
What is an XR digital drama like
XR stands for Extended Reality. XR drama involves applying extended reality technology to theater. China's first XR digital drama "Macbeth" signifies the use of digital technology to replace traditional stage sets and the reconstruction of the theatrical performance space through cinematic montage techniques.
According to reports, the XR digital drama "Macbeth" took two years from preparation to completion, undergoing four major reshoots. It integrated innovative approaches across multiple dimensions, including performance style, script development, costumes and props, and the presentation of digital virtual scenes.
Why create an XR digital drama
How should theater develop in the new media digital age? Can theater break out of traditional venues and find more avenues for dissemination? The XR digital drama "Macbeth" aims to use its unique aesthetic understanding and distinctive expression, leveraging cutting-edge technology as a wing for imagination, to help express the inner spiritual world of people.
Because theater is meant for live audiences, there's usually a certain distance between spectators and actors, which might lead to exaggerated dialogue, performances, and gestures. However, filming theater actors directly on stage could make viewers at home feel disconnected and even resistant, potentially harming the theater experience. Therefore, the future of XR digital drama will combine the strengths of both theater and film, using cinematic techniques to bring XR theater beyond traditional venues and into cinemas and new media platforms. This approach aims to make this new artistic form more accessible to a wider audience.
How to view XR digital drama
After the premiere of the XR digital drama "Macbeth," numerous industry experts held an academic exchange on-site, discussing the value and development of XR digital drama.
Many audience members expressed a desire for further reflection on the combination of theater and technology. In response, the creative team of the play stated that "Macbeth," as the first XR digital drama, is just the beginning, and various aspects are still undergoing continuous exploration and experimentation.
Translator: BAI Jing
Reviewer: JIANG Wenyi
