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An Ark: Groundbreaking Mixed Reality Play Launches with Ian McKellen

1/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The play An Ark by Simon Stephens opens at the Shed on January 21 with mixed reality glasses that let four actors, including Ian McKellen, interact directly with the audience.
Producer Todd Eckert says the audience–actor connection has never been achieved at such a large scale before.
Mixed reality has limited use in the arts because capturing subtle details through volumetric capture is challenging.
Previews for An Ark have begun.

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Story summary

The play An Ark by Simon Stephens opens at the Shed on January 21 with mixed reality glasses that let four actors, including Ian McKellen, interact directly with the audience.
Producer Todd Eckert says the audience–actor connection has never been achieved at such a large scale before.
Mixed reality has limited use in the arts because capturing subtle details through volumetric capture is challenging.
Previews for An Ark have begun.