“It’s a very special experience to be in the audience”- The immersive outdoor theatre production coming to Salford this summer
An experimental socially-distanced theatre performance is coming to Salford Quays this summer.
C-O-N-T-A-C-T is a two person play which explores themes of grief and anxiety.
The play is staged outside, with the audience following the actors as they move through the location it is performed in.
Audiences are required to wear headphones and download an app onto their phones. Through this app, C-O-N-T-A-C-T syncs immersive 3D sound design allowing the audience to hear into characters thoughts.
Mathilde Moulin, Producer and General Manager for C-O-N-T-A-C-T, Said:
“It is a brand new technology that we’re using and it’s a bit different than just audio because you can actually see people perform live.
“Everyone hears the same thing, at the same time - and it’s all on people’s own devices”
C-O-N-T-A-C-T follows main character Sara as she is helped by a “guardian angel” to navigate feelings of grief and anxiety.
Audience numbers for each showing will be kept small, not only to comply with Covid-19 restrictions, but to give audiences a quality experience.
Mathilde said:
“We want to keep the audience small otherwise it starts not to feel like a very intimate experience.”
The play will run in Salford Quays and at a central Manchester location for six weeks between 18th May - 19th June. It is being produced in collaboration with The Lowry.
Mathilde said:
“For Salford Quays - we liked the fact it was in Media City and that it is easy for people to access and they know where it is. It’s well known.
“It is also a place where people are going to pass by and be curious and go ‘oh what’s that’. So it’s a bit of a melting pot of all these reasons.”
The shows combined use of an outdoor setting and new technology means it is a unique experience compared to traditional theatre.
Mathilde said:
“It’s a very special experience to be in the audience because you are also being watched by everyone else. They walk past and are really curious.
“I would say it’s experimental. When you go and see something that you’ve never seen before - yes it’s a new experience.”
Since debuting in Paris last summer, C-O-N-T-A-C-T has been performed in London and is set to be licensed across the world.
It has received positive coverage across national press including reviews in The Guardian and The i.
C-O-N-T-A-C-T was originally set to come to Salford and Manchester in January before being postponed due to lockdown.
Tickets are on sale now from The Lowry.