This ground-breaking production by The Performance Corporation is at the cutting edge of an emerging crossover between theatre and Virtual Reality.

Emperor 101 immerses you in an alternate world that reflects the mind and motivations of a conspiracy theorist. In a time when the very notion of truth or facts is called into question, the innovative use of VR reflects the multiple realities or bubbles we live in. The piece riffs on influences from ancient mythology to Alice in Wonderland, and asks if rejection of the mainstream is a product of fear, or the ultimate act of self-empowerment in a complex world.

You will be led through a series of interactive environments in Virtual Reality and experience live interaction with performer avatars. Explore the inner life of a high profile conspiracy theorist as she struggles with a personal tragedy that has turned the world upside down.

Audience members will be given headsets at The Fishbowl (Vancouver), and will watch the performers from Ireland in Virtual Reality.

Performances run Thursday April 20 to Sunday April 23.

April 20: 2 pm, 3 pm April 21: 2 pm, 3 pm April 22: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm April 23: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

Beta test for at home audience! Watch the show from anywhere in the world! There are two performances for enthusiasts who have their own Quest 2 VR headsets at home.
These two remote access only performances are available to anyone, anywhere in the world on April 20 and April 21 at 12pm PDT.
Ticket buyers for this event must verify they have access to a Quest 2 VR headset at the time of the performance and be able to sideload an app onto their device. Specific instructions and support will be provided for those who purchase tickets.

Tickets available for $15 – $25 each. Book your tickets here.

Created by: Leon Butler, Jo Mangan, Peter Power, and Tom Swift
Produced by The Performance Corporation
Cast: Caitríona Ní Mhurchú and Karl Quinn
Directed by Jo Mangan
Script by Tom Swift
Design by Leon Butler and Peter Power
VR Producer: Camille Donegan
Immersive Media Studio: RETinIZE

In March 2022, The Performance Corporation brought this ground breaking new show to Austin, Texas for SXSW – one of the world’s biggest arts and tech festivals. We are one of the first theatre companies in the world to design and build a performance space in a bespoke virtual world. In the ‘Animotive’ platform, created by RETinIZE, we are showcasing a new type of live theatrical experience.

When the audience puts on their VR headset they meet the avatars of our two performers. Here, they can interact and speak to them in real time. Thanks to VR technology, the two actors are able perform from locations in Dublin (Karl Quinn & Caitríona Ní Mhurchú) while engaging with the audience in Austin. The story explores the inner life of a high profile conspiracy theorist as she struggles with a personal tragedy that has turned the world upside down.