It's 'showtime' at Plymouth's cutting-edge immersive dome with new 'pay as you feel' structure

Truly open to everyone, Plymouth’s world-class and cutting-edge immersive dome experience at Market Hall in Devonport has just released its dynamic winter programme for 2022 with a unique and accessible ‘pay as you feel’ pricing structure. 

Spanning a range of different genres, thought-provoking topics, driving deep engagement and encouraging learning in a completely unique setting, visitors of all ages are guaranteed to enter with an open mind and leave with their minds blown.  Whatever the interest, be that art, culture, outer space, sea monsters that lurk in the murky depths of the ocean, or fitness and wellbeing, there is a whole new dimension to escape into. 

It is the largest immersive dome in Europe and the second largest in the whole wide world (the only one like it being at SAT in Montreal, Canada). Entering the dome and experiencing one of its epic shows is a little like having a full-scale virtual reality experience without having to don a headset. With a wide range of incredible events and experiences for all the family, couples or individuals, the dome invites you to lose yourself for up to 45 minutes in its encapsulating grip.

There are some wonderful family-friendly shows such as ‘Legend of the Enchanted Reef’ which launches on 28th January and will run until 20th February 2022. A film for the whole family that raises awareness of the acuteness of marine conservation. Featuring the clumsy and energetic reef fish, Shorty, his smart sister Indigo and Jake, a daring sawfish, who all live in a colourful coral reef. When an enormous trawl devastates their reef, the three friends have no choice but to set out on an adventurous journey to find a new home. A colourful and inspirational production, full of humour and imagination.

From 29th January until 19th February, dome-goers can experience ‘Sea Monsters’ and travel back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the seas and meet Dolly – a curious and adventurous dolichorhynchops – as she travels through the most dangerous oceans in history. Along the way, she encounters long-necked plesiosaurs, giant turtles, enormous fish, fierce sharks, and the most dangerous sea monsters of all, the mosasaur. This wonderful computer-generated animation (CGA) adventure will take you to paleontological digs around the globe, introduce you to the scientists working as detectives to uncover the secrets of this ancient and mysterious ocean world, and under the surface to meet an incredible cast of characters.

From 28th January up until 18th February, experience the antidote for today’s hectic world: The undervalued notion of a calculated slowdown through ‘Ekki Hugsa 360% dome experience’. An immersive audio-visual experience based on the music of BAFTA award winning composer Ólafur Arnalds and the flowing visuals of designer Torsten Posselt Ólafur Arnalds and Torsten Posselt.

Prepare for major lift off with ‘Immerse Yourself: Outer Space’ which is quite literally out of this world. Experience a short immersive 360 experience produced by BAP (British Association of Planetaria) and NSC Creative which will take you around the International Space Station to feel what it is like to live and work in space. All of which is narrated by famous British Astronaut Tim Peake.

The Story Republic is delighted to be returning to Market Hall on February 23rd at 11am and 2pm for ‘Story Adventures’. Join the team for the new story by Jo Lumber called  'I Want to be a Tree’ about five year old Pip Smith and her curious choice of birthday present.  The session will be fully interactive with drama, drawing, moving and making and is suitable for children aged four to eight, with accompanying adults.

Through ‘Immerse Yourself: Dance’, witness a selection of full dome dance, movement and colour through a number of short but moving films. These include multi award-winning, ‘Thin Air’, a 360-degree video produced by Khaki TV in collaboration with Cydney Uffindell-Phillips and Toby U-P. It's a compelling story of love and loss with beautiful movement and sound. ‘Pal O' Me Heart’ is the third full dome dance film produced by 4Pi Productions as part of the Dance Dome platform. Through highly physical choreography the piece explores the developing relationship between two young men within the political turmoil of Ireland in 1916, juxtaposing the dream of national liberation with the search for personal freedom. 

A snapshot into the constant cycle of transition and change, short film ‘Liminality’ fuses contemporary dance, music and innovative 360º filmmaking into a collision of cultures and technology as dancers move from industrial landscapes to coastal environments in Wales and India, highlighting the similarities these two countries share, and their changing relationship. ‘Light of Home’ is a short film designed for full dome immersive projection spaces. Light is both the subject and the medium of this film which explores the emotional connections between light, place and memory. The story is driven by a soundtrack constructed from interviews in which people recall their experiences of light in the place where they grew up.

From 5th – 12th February, experience the epic natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights 360% style and a selection of short films as you traverse straight into the heart of the boreal forest. Whilst on the evening of 10th February from 7.30pm, join the Real Ideas team for an informal evening to see a selection of new and experimental 360 content which creators want to test with a live audience. Meet likeminded creatives, preview content and get the opportunity to feedback and discuss with the creators. During this ‘Scratch Night’, titles and descriptions won't be announced prior to the event – think open mic night for domes! The evening will be informal with time to talk in between seeing content, the bar will be open so conversations can continue outside the dome, and the creators may even be in the space to get instant feedback.

Lindsay Hall, Chief Executive of Real Ideas said, “We are really excited to bring even more incredible immersive shows to our dome schedule for 2022. It is so important for us to be inclusive and to enable all to experience art without barriers – for this reason, we have made the decision to trial a 'pay as you feel' pricing structure. This means that audiences can decide themselves what they pay for any of the shows from a variety of options on the website. We're testing this approach to see how visitors respond and we hope to entice those who may struggle to afford tickets on a regular basis to come and enjoy the benefits.”

To see the full dome programme and for further details, visit: https://realideas.org/whats-on/. If you're a creator and would like to be included in the line-up on the Scratch Nights, get in touch via programme@realideas.org. 

To find out more visit www.realideas.org/market-hall and follow @real_ideas_organisation and @themarkethallUK on Instagram.