A collection of 20 virtual creatures are preparing to set up home within the dark woods of Monikie Country Park.
With less than a month until Dragon Matrix welcomes its first visitors, the Dragon Matrix App was launched today, with a sneak peek at three of the new talking creatures preparing to entice, engage and enthral audiences, a mystical cat, silver fairy and white wizard. The rest remain strictly under wraps until the first night of the event, which kicks off on Wednesday 5 October 2016.
Following the success of the inaugural DragonQuest, which attracted over 5,000 visitors last year, tickets for the follow-up Augmented Reality (AR) light show Dragon Matrix are on sale via tickets.dragonmatrix.org.uk or the Webster Memorial Theatre in Arbroath. Visitors are being urged to download the App prior to their visit.
With trolls, a fairy glen and even a path of spiders set to take up residence in the dark woods of ANGUSalive’s Monikie Country Park, the theatrical, mystical spectacular will see visitors embark on a quest to track six dragon stones, stolen from the Museum of Dragons, a brand new fantastical installation located in the woods of Monikie from Wednesday 5 until Monday 31 October 2016 (except 10, 17 and 24 October).
Vision Mechanics, the Edinburgh theatre company behind ‘Big Man Walking’, ‘Giants in the Forest’ and ‘Embrace’, is creating the event, which will once again see the woods lit up and inhabited by huge, illuminated installations against a backdrop of music, stunning lighting and giant figures.
Working in conjunction with Symon Macintyre, Artistic Director, Vision Mechanics, the creatures have once again been created by Saara Väkiparta and other animation graduates from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee (DJCAD).
When downloaded onto smartphones or tablets, the Dragon Matrix App will reveal a world of magical creatures which they can scan and snap for social media, friends and family. The App itself has been built and designed by Lanarkshire-based Colin Purves of itsalivedesign.co.uk who, through some clever mathematics, has propelled the 3D creatures into our world utilising the very latest computer technology.
Saara, who is now freelancing in Finland after graduating from DJCAD last Summer said, “The animation team was in top form creating great new characters for Dragon Matrix. The challenging part was keeping the new characters true to the existing ones from last year, but we managed quite well - with the larger cast of characters, this year will have even more surprises in store for audiences.”
Symon added, “We’ve had a brilliant time creating the new creatures, and it’s amazing hearing them speak. This year, we wanted creatures which would add to the storylines, that have a voice. Next year, they will become even more integrated into the storyline, which will evolve year on year. We have absolutely no doubt that audiences of all ages will love meeting and hearing from our new creatures, and can’t wait to welcome them along to our magical dark wood event.”
‘Dragon Matrix’ is supported by EventScotland, part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate, and ANGUSalive. For the first time, the event is also supported by The Space, which works with artists and arts organisations to support them to create great art and reach new audiences using digital technologies and platforms.
Jim Clarkson, VisitScotland Regional Director said, “Dragon Matrix, with its enthralling stories and state-of-the-art technology, has become one of the most exciting and eagerly anticipated events of 2016 in Angus. Through the stunning setting of Monikie Country Park and the creative talents of the organisers at Vision Mechanics, this innovative augmented reality performance shows exactly why Scotland is the perfect stage for events. The financial boost provided by EventScotland’s National Funding Programme will also ensure the second year of this completely unique event is even more spectacular than the first, attracting visitors from near and far, and once again making for a very special visit to Monikie Country Park.”
Kirsty Hunter, ANGUSalive Chief Executive added, “ANGUSalive is thrilled to bring back this outdoor theatre spectacular to Angus. Dragon Matrix is the second instalment of the augmented reality adventure, which offers players a magical interaction with talking mystical creatures. In 2015 we attracted over 5,000 visitors to enjoy this exciting dark wood event in the wonderful woodlands of Monikie Country Park. We look forward to welcoming audiences to let their imaginations run wild in the new game.”
Meanwhile Fiona Morris, Chief Executive and Creative Director of The Space explained, “I’m delighted that The Space is able to support Dragon Matrix in increasing its reach and engagement and helping to ensure that even more people are able to enjoy this exciting combination of augmented reality and live theatre. I’m sure it will be a tremendous success, in this, Scotland’s year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.”
Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.dragonmatrix.org.uk.
Tickets are also available from the Webster Memorial Theatre, 64 High Street, Arbroath, DD11 1AW - telephone 01241 435800, email info@webstertheatre.co.uk or via www.webstertheatre.co.uk.
The Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 1pm-6pm and on Saturday, between 10am and 3pm. On performance nights, the Box Office hours will be extended, changing to Tuesday – Friday, 1pm-7.30-pm and on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6pm-7.30pm.
Further information is available at:
Website – dragonmatrix.org.uk
Facebook -https://Facebook.com/VMDragonMatrix
Twitter - https://twitter.com/vmdragonmatrix
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/visionmechanicsig/
Vision Mechanics can be contacted on telephone (0131) 554 8923, email info@visionmechanics.org or website www.visionmechanics.org.
ANGUSalive
ANGUSalive (SC046133) is the culture, sport and leisure trust for the county of Angus and has been operating since December 2015.
