Yum! is a thought-provoking journey where the effects of climate change and our increasingly self-obsessed society collide, exploring the illusions we create for ourselves in the pursuit of happiness. 

Infusing theater and XR, our immersive, multi-sensory, and participatory XR experience, asks the question - What is dinner in the future?

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The Story 

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In a world where climate change has decimated and transformed our eating and dining habits, three self-obsessed individuals', immune to the tribulations of the masses, experience an evening designed only for the select few. 

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Yum! blends satire and dark humour with social commentary to explore the themes of climate change, class, identity and self-obsession, in a blurred and ostentatious setting.

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The Concept 

 

We amplify the story by using augmented reality, transporting our audience fully into this new world. Our interdisciplinary, multi-sensory approach engages and challenges all the senses, from taste and smell to touch and sight, taking the cast and audience on an exploration of what may lie ahead. 

 

The objective of this project is to explore a new approach to multimedia music theater production that leans toward the realm of performance art. This approach aims to facilitate a more immersive experience for the audience by allowing them to actively engage with the performance. This includes opportunities for the audience to become deeply involved in the scene, break the traditional barrier between performers and spectators (often referred to as the "fourth wall"), and assume the role of storytellers within the theater narrative.

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Blurred Reality 

 

The multi-sensory experience is a theme that is central to this multimedia music theater. 

Yum! uses AR(Augmented Reality) to create a captivating dissonance between what the characters and the audience perceive in the real world and our intricately designed fabricated reality. 

The contrast between these two realms allows us to explore the nuances of perception, highlighting how our senses can be manipulated and challenged.

 

Using food as a metaphor for the artificiality of the characters existence , the overarching theme of synthetic living continues. 

In reality, the audience will experience bland and unappealing food, reminiscent of ‘Soylent Green’ mirroring the emptiness of our characters’ synthetic lives. 

Within our augmented reality, these same dishes transform into extravagant, sumptuous plates. 

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XR

 

The XR App serves as a dramaturgical instrument, employed to investigate the influence of technology on human society and its impact on interpersonal relationships within the context of this production. The iPad also serves a metaphorical role, symbolizing the way in which we routinely engage with digital devices to consume information, thereby altering our perception of the world. In this digital age, the boundary between ourselves and the external world becomes increasingly blurred, resembling a digital screen. We encounter fabricated information and manipulated images on a daily basis, while our interactions on social media platforms often present a filtered reality. This prompts us to contemplate the ultimate consequences of this digital lifestyle.

 

This project builds upon our prior experience of collaboratively creating a live interactive XR opera project over the past two years. Our experience with the XR opera project led us to raise further questions and research about the optimal integration of technology into the foundational elements of music storyline and experience design. Therefore, the focus of the current project is on enhancing the narrative and structure, rather than incorporating technology for technology's sake.

 

We aim to use our prior experience and knowledge to develop a new approach to interactive music experience that engages audiences in exciting ways. By exploring new ways of opera -making, we hope to create thought-provoking experiences that challenge our current issues and create a deeper connection with the audience.

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Yum! has been invited to the TalentLAB 2024 residency at the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, with a partial Premiere scheduled for June 9th at the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg.