Step on stage with the world's leading performers
Tuesday, December 1st, 9am: The Google Cultural Institute are inviting people to view a new and unique interactive experience of performing arts, drama, dance, music, opera and more, available from today. The new online exhibition - a partnership between Google and over 60 of the world’s foremost cultural institutions - will enable web users to step on stage and mingle with the likes of acclaimed actor Alex Hassell as he performs a speech from Henry V in Gregory Doran’s acclaimed production of William Shakespeare’s play, currently at the Barbican.
In a first-of-its-kind exhibition, viewers can navigate panoramic videos of performances, giving the experience of being on the stage shoulder-to-shoulder with actors as they perform. The panoramic technology gives an access-all-areas pass to users, who can can view Henry V as if they were on stage in a scene of the RSC’s production. Viewers can also peruse other content from productions at other venues such as Carnegie Hall or Palais Garnier, as well as over a hundred and fifty interactive stories about the shows, the stars and the world behind the scenes.
Online audiences can now immerse themselves in Henry V Act III Scene I, by using the unique 3-dimensional video features that bring them closer to the performance. By virtually ‘walking’ around the actor on stage, the props and set can be seen at close range, making it a unique and captivating experience. This never-seen-before performance footage of Henry V merges theatrics with technology; allowing access to areas previously inaccessible to the public.
An excerpt of the performance was recorded using multiple 360 degree cameras simultaneously, offering closer views than a front row seat. The spherical video allows users to get face-to-face with the actor as he performs, follow his movements around the stage, up to see the hidden stage machinery or gaze into the limelight.
In addition to working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Google has partnered with an additional 8 performing arts institutions across the UK. Viewers can now access both online pictorial exhibitions and Street View footage for the first time in a number of places.
For example, it is now possible to virtually walk through The Royal College of Music, as behind the scenes Street View footage opens the doors usually closed to guests.
Visitors can also discover 9 interactive stories about other British and global performing arts partners, including photographs, never-seen-before video footage and other archives.
Gregory Doran, RSC Artistic Director and director of Henry V, said: “ I am delighted we are one of the partners working with Google as part of the Cultural Institute. The RSC is always looking for ways to extend our reach to new audiences and to keep theatre - and Shakespeare - alive and engaging for people all over the world.. Using Google’s new technology, the 360 scene from Henry V is a great way to showcase our work in the most immediate and immersive way. I am sure it will give new insight into live performance and can only help to encourage more people to come and see shows on stage.”
The Google Cultural Institute works together with over 900 organisations to bring the world’s cultural treasures to the fingertips of Internet users and builds tools that allow cultural institutions to share more of their art and heritage with audiences beyond their walls.
For this exhibition of performing arts cultural institutions from over 20 countries created over a hundred interactive stories, including a total of 8 000 photos, videos and other documents online in collaboration with Google. The latest innovations in tech help bring the magic of these legendary venues to life, and give everyone a chance to feel the excitement of standing centre stage.
Amit Sood, Director of the Google Cultural Institute commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with so many of the world’s renowned performing arts institutions representing the best in drama, dance, music, and opera. We brought all these organisations all together for the first time in one virtual space. Our goal is to open up performing arts to the newcomer and offer access to details that even die-hard fans have seen before.”
The new online exhibitions open today on the Google Cultural Institute website and is available for anyone on mobiles, tablets and desktop computers.
ENDS
List of UK partners:
Royal Shakespeare Company, London Festival of Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Sound and Music, Live Art Development Agency, Royal College of Music, National Theatre, Sadler’s Wells, Battersea Arts Centre.
About the Google Cultural Institute:
Since the Google Cultural Institute was launched in 2011, we've worked with closely with museums, foundations and other and archives, from the Royal Shakespeare Company, to the Musee D'Orsay in Paris to the British Museum in London. We now have more than 900 partners from over 60 countries making a total of 6 million artworks, photos, videos, manuscripts and other documents of art, culture and history accessible to all online and by doing so, preserving it for future generations.
About the Royal Shakespeare Company:
The Royal Shakespeare Company creates theatre at its best, made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world. We produce an inspirational artistic programme each year, setting Shakespeare in context, alongside the work of his contemporaries and today’s writers.
Everyone at the RSC - from actors to armourers, musicians to technicians - plays a part in creating the world you see on stage. All our productions begin life at our Stratford workshops and theatres and we bring them to the widest possible audience through our touring, residencies, live broadcasts and online activity. So wherever you experience the RSC, you experience work made in Shakespeare’s home town.
We have trained generations of the very best theatre makers and we continue to nurture the talent of the future. We encourage everyone to enjoy a lifelong relationship with Shakespeare and live theatre. We reach 530,000 children and young people annually through our education work, transforming their experiences in the classroom, in performance and online. Registered charity no. 212481 www.rsc.org.uk
