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The intense preview sequence came from Box Office VR, a firm founded by Kelman and Gemma Greig-Kicks of Box Office VR.<\/p>\n
Having spent careers in film-making and touring theatre, the husband and wife team, hope that VR can extend the reach of theatre to untapped audiences.<\/p>\n
Anyone who wants to use the service would have to buy their own headset, but Box Office VR is designed to work on cheap systems like Google Cardboard VR Glasses. <\/p>\n
To watch a show the customer has to insert their phone into the VR device.<\/p>\n
Once the phone is place, the users strap the box, effectively a pair of cardboard goggles, around their head and plug in their own headphones. <\/p>\n
The app then streams a recorded performance to the phone, which the VR headset amplifies, taking the viewer into a 180 degree view of the stage and auditorium. <\/p>\n
It is aimed at anyone who might not think of visiting the theatre, or who cannot physically reach a venue. <\/p>\n
So far that’s a small audience. Around a 100 people have downloaded a show through Box Office VR.<\/p>\n
Ms Greig-Kicks admits that Box Office VR is “a passion project” for her and her husband.<\/p>\n
Yet she says the potential is real. “It means they can host shows that wouldn’t otherwise be able to tour due to size or cost.” <\/p>\n
Box Office VR has filmed other productions, including one for London’s Sadler’s Wells dance theatre which has a Digital Stage label for its own online repertoire. <\/p>\n
Other established names such as the York Theatre Royal have also experimented with making shows available via VR headsets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n