Ian McKellen will star in a British premiere of "An Ark," a mixed reality play coming to Manchester next spring. The veteran actor will not appear on stage in person.
Instead, audiences wearing smart glasses will see McKellen projected into the theatre space. The production debuted in New York earlier this year. Smart glasses technology allows the actors' performances to be layered into the physical theatre environment, creating the mixed reality effect.
The Guardian reports the play will premiere in the UK at a Manchester venue. No specific dates or theatre name are given in the available material.