Goldbeck Construction CompanyThe Wells Millennium Center has announced plans to build an “immersive” 550-seat theater in Cardiff Bay.
Proposed to be built opposite the existing Wells Millennium Center (WMC), the venue is intended to be a “digital-first” theater utilizing virtual reality and immersive technology.
There will also be production, rehearsal and training facilities.
Graeme Farrow, chief creative and content officer at WMC, said: “This new space will continue our work at the intersection of technology and art, allowing artists to explore and experiment with multimedia approaches to telling stories.”
Goldbeck Construction CompanyWhat is an immersive experience?
Immersive experiences often take the form of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) or virtual reality (VR) delivered via headsets, combined with more traditional theater performances.
VR is best known for its headsets that allow viewers to explore digital worlds rendered in real time.
AR combines the digital and real worlds, often using a headset or mobile device to add detail to the user’s view.
MR is more tactile, combining objects in the real world with the user’s view of the digital world to create an immersive experience.
The combination of digital and physical stimulation is designed to engage viewers more directly and make them feel like they are part of the story.
Goldbeck Construction CompanyWhat else are planned for Cardiff Bay?
The new theater forms part of the Cardiff site development and will be built in Plans for £250m Cardiff Indoor Stadium At Atlantic Pier.
The development will see the existing Red Dragon Center demolished and replaced with new arena and theater space, as well as council offices, exhibition halls and community areas.
The development of Crossrail in Cardiff, a new tram Work is also underway on the initial link between Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Central Station, with the first phase expected to be completed in 2028.
