RSC to aid companies in new technology applications

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is set to assist technology firms, among other entities, in integrating novel technologies such as virtual reality into live events and multi-platform content. The CreaTech Frontiers project has secured a £6.75m investment from the government. Birmingham City University is leading this initiative, collaborating with the RSC and other universities within the region. The theatre company is expected to contribute its expertise in live performance to help organizations in the creative sector discover new ways of utilizing cutting-edge technologies. These are anticipated to include artificial intelligence and immersive content, which the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) stated would “revolutionise creative productions”. Research projects in the region will also investigate how 3D modelling and animation techniques can be employed to generate engaging, immersive material. This development occurs two days after the government announced that Baroness Shriti Vadera, Chair of the RSC, would help lead the Creative Industries Council—an organization that connects government, businesses, and public bodies involved in the UK’s creative sector. The RSC will also partner with the US-based tech and media festival South by Southwest on a series of research pilot projects. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy commented that the funding would support training, research, and development across a range of creative projects “using new technology and driving growth”. She further stated, “Talent is everywhere but opportunity is not.” The RSC previously utilized motion-capture technology in 2021 for a performance of Dream, presented to remote audiences during the pandemic. The CreaTech Frontiers partnership will also include the Birmingham Opera Group, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. An additional £6.75m has also been allocated to the MusicFutures cluster, which is Liverpool’s combined authority’s academic and private sector programme. Working with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, the cluster will fund training for musicians, teachers, and businesses, utilizing technology to make the “live music sector more environmentally sustainable”. This could involve the construction of simulated environments as well as the creation of computer-generated content. Nandy remarked: “Liverpool and Merseyside hold a special place in our nation’s music landscape and this funding will support imagination and experimentation across the city and region.” She added: “Birmingham and the West Midlands have a rich industrial history, and we are putting them at the forefront of a potential new industry developing the amazing technology that will revolutionise visual effects in film, theatre and gaming.” Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.