Darkfield is a company that creates new innovative work at the forefront of technology and theatre, utilising binaural sound and sensory effects. It has been announced that their first broadcast as Darkfield Radio, entitled DOUBLE, is confirmed as the first ever audio-only experience in the programme for the Venice International Film Festival that runs from 2nd to 12th September 2020.
DOUBLE is part of Venice’s ‘Best of XR’ (eXtended Reality is a catch all term for immersive productions including AR and VR) category and represents an innovative shift for the immersive theatre company, from physical installations to home entertainment as a reaction to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic.
Darkfield Radio is a ground-breaking new project that brings the company’s innovative audio experiences to audiences at home. It is written and directed by Glen Neath and performed by Chris Brett Bailey under the direction of David Rosenberg who also provides sound and tech, with imagery by Alex Purcell.
The new broadcast, DOUBLE, is a curious world built from 360 degree binaural sound, and an exercise in familiarity for two people sitting opposite each other on either side of their kitchen table and asking that ‘everyone be who they say they are’. DOUBLE explores the Capgras delusion, a condition in which the sufferer is convinced that a loved one has been replaced by an exact replica with malign intentions. This follows the theme of Darkfield’s previous shows, exploring ideas around Drug Placebos, the Multiverse and the unknown beyond the veil. Since its first broadcast, 2500 people worldwide have experienced DOUBLE in two weeks and its run has been extended into September due to popular demand.
The experience is communal with audiences not just experiencing the show in pairs, but the show being replicated in hundreds of rooms across the world with a set performance time, much like going to the cinema for a screening, or a theatre for a play. The DARKFIELD RADIO app, available on IOS and Android is designed to deliver the show at a set time and date. The show has the ability for Darkfield to deliver an immersive experience with just a pair of regular headphones, a mobile phone, and a kitchen table.
Previous acclaimed pieces by Darkfield, such as SEANCE, FLIGHT and COMA, were sited in shipping containers, were originally premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and have since toured the UK and Australia. DARKFIELD has so far welcomed over 167500 audience members globally and with DARKFIELD RADIO, will now reach even larger audiences worldwide in their homes. Darkfield can also announce that Darkfield Radio and DOUBLE performances will open up to the United States with evening performances added for Eastern and Pacific time zones from August.
Tickets are available via the DARKFIELD website and shows run every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 20:00 and 21:30.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SHOWS ARE SUITABLE FOR AGE 14+.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 