Visiting the Scottish Highlands and Ayr with ALiCE in VR Wonderland
Jasmin Vardimon Company toured ALiCE in VR Wonderland across six venues in the Scottish Highlands and Ayr, bringing an innovative blend of dance, immersive technology and creative participation to rural communities. Alongside the virtual reality experience, audiences were invited to take part in practical workshops, offering a unique opportunity to explore the creative processes behind the production and discover the possibilities of storytelling through movement and 360° film.
The project visited:
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Inverness – Eden Court
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AppleCross – Community Hall
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Cromarty – The Old Brewery
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Ardross – Community Hall
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Nairn – Community and Arts Centre
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Ayr – The Gaiety Studio
At each venue, participants experienced ALiCE in VR Wonderland in small-group, 30-minute sessions, allowing them to become fully immersed in the world of ALiCE in VR through cutting-edge virtual reality technology. Following the VR experience, participants joined an interactive workshop led by a Company artist, exploring the techniques used to create the production.
Designed for participants of all ages and abilities, the workshops encouraged creativity, collaboration and play. Through movement exercises, character exploration and Company repertoire, participants discovered how choreography, perspective and visual storytelling can be transformed through immersive technology. Working together with a 360° camera, they created and filmed their own ideas before watching them back, experimenting with different viewpoints, playful compositions and imaginative ways of engaging an audience within a virtual environment.
For a lot of people, this was their first experience of both virtual reality and creating with 360° technology. Through creative dance, 360 tech, and hands-on creative exploration, the project provided an accessible introduction to immersive performance while offering insight into the artistic processes behind ALiCE in VR.
Touring to rural communities and expanding access to high-quality arts experiences in areas where opportunities to engage with immersive performance are often limited. Across every location, participants embraced the chance to experience something new, with many arriving unsure of what to expect before letting go of all fears and jumping head-first into creative exploration. The workshops created an inclusive and welcoming environment where participants of different ages and backgrounds could work together, share ideas and enjoy creating alongside one another.
Across the six venues, 194 participants experienced ALiCE in VR Wonderland, with a further 103 participants taking part in workshops. Overall, the project had almost 300 Engagements, encouraging creativity, curiosity and participation through dance and immersive technology. Out of those that filled out feedback for us, 100% said they had either a Brilliant or Great experience with us!
Some participant feedback:
Growing up in a rural area of Resolis, performances like this haven’t always been accessible to me. I also have come from a working-class background but found that I didn’t have access to creative performances that would have benefited me.
This was an amazing experience and such a clever way of reaching a wider audience.
My first experience of VR, won’t be my last.
The project demonstrated how innovative technologies can broaden access to dance and performance while encouraging participants to become creators themselves, leaving audiences with a deeper understanding of creative possibilities of around dance & technology.
Supported by The Touring Network (Highlands & Islands).