Sir Ian McKellen is set to headline a pioneering new production that will make its UK premiere in Manchester next spring. The veteran actor, known for his iconic roles in The Lord of the Rings, will star in the mixed reality play An Ark; however, he will not physically appear on stage during the performances.
The production, which originally debuted in New York earlier this year, will be hosted at Aviva Studios from 27 March to 10 April. Audiences attending the show will be required to wear smart glasses that project the actors directly into the venue. John McGrath, chief executive of Factory International, the organization presenting the play, explained that mixed reality differs significantly from traditional virtual reality experiences. While virtual reality goggles typically isolate the viewer from their physical surroundings, these smart glasses allow the audience to see both the virtual elements and the real world around them simultaneously.
Addressing whether McKellen would perform in person, McGrath clarified that while the actor's virtual presence will be central to the experience, he will not be performing in the flesh. He noted that the actor may choose to visit the production during its run, but audiences should not expect a live stage performance from him. McGrath likened the experience to watching a film, noting that viewers do not expect lead actors to be present in the cinema during a screening.
Despite the absence of live actors, McGrath emphasized that the technology offers unique benefits, including a sense of intimacy that makes the performers feel as though they are sitting directly in front of the viewer, speaking to them personally. The performance was captured in a single take using 52 cameras at a studio in Grenoble, France, featuring four actors including McKellen. According to McGrath, the process represents a new challenge for actors, feeling closer to film production than traditional stage work.
Factory International plans to hold public events to explore the future and ethics of this technology. The play is part of a larger 2027 programme celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary, which will also feature a special production of Philip Glass’s opera Einstein on the Beach. McGrath noted that this will be one of the biggest opera performances of the year, marking the first time in 50 years there has been a full new production of the work, which will be presented in a large warehouse setting to offer a unique experience of the score.
