Brian takes a Magic Leap to tell story of universe

BRIAN COX: set to wow theatre audience with a mix of science and new technology

OLDHAM physicist Brian Cox has teamed up with the special-effects team behind an Oscar-winning film to tell the story of the universe for next year’s Manchester International Festival.

The former Hulme Grammar School student, film director Kevin Macdonald and effects wizards at Framestore - who worked on the movie “Gravity” - will use Magic Leap. a virtual-reality projection system to make Brian’s TV shows come alive on stage.

The Age of Starlight is one of the first productions announced for the prestigious biennial festival, which majors in new work, often by international theatre stars.

Professor Cox said the show will address the “deepest possible questions about the origins of the universe. It’s the premiere of a technology that allows you to put digital images into your field of vision directly.

“I saw the prototype in Miami a few months ago and it’s stunning. It is going to be transformative technology, there’s no doubt about that. The experience will disturb audiences and put them off balance.”

He added: “In television documentary you’re attacking ideas from a scientific perspective, but in this case it’s much more of an emotional experience. I want people to stagger out and have to have a sit-down for a long time before they go home.

“It’s an art installation; that’s what the Manchester International Festival does.. It’s a piece of art.”