‘Blue Peter’ Showcase for Dragon Matrix




Photos © Alan Richardson, Dundee
Dragon Matrix, the theatrical, mystery spectacular set within the woods of Monikie Country Park, has attracted attention from CBBC’s Blue Peter.
Presenter Barney Harwood, and the film crew, spent most of yesterday, Sunday 9 October 2016, filming at the event which features a family of virtual creatures, landmarks such as the fairy path and the red witch tree, as well two baby dragons in their newly built dragon nursery, all set to wow audiences throughout the month of October.
The team interacted with some local children and families, explored how the Dragon Matrix App works and interviewed Artistic Director Symon Macintyre.
With 20 talking Augmented Reality creatures to befriend (or be wary of!) on your journey, Dragon Matrix sees visitors embark on a quest to track six dragon stones, stolen from the Museum of Dragons, and a brand new fantastical installation, The Spirit of the Dragon, located in the woods of Monikie until Monday 31 October 2016 (except 10, 17 and 24 October).
Dragon Matrix is set to be part of Blue Peter’s show due to be aired on Thursday 20 October 2016.
Following the success of the inaugural DragonQuest, which attracted over 5,000 visitors last year, tickets for the follow-up family show Dragon Matrix are on sale via tickets.dragonmatrix.org.uk or the Webster Memorial Theatre in Arbroath. Visitors are being urged to download the ‘Dragon Matrix’ App prior to their visit.
Vision Mechanics, the Edinburgh theatre company behind ‘Big Man Walking’, ‘Giants in the Forest’ and ‘Embrace’, is creating the event, which will once again see the woods lit up and inhabited by huge, illuminated installations against a backdrop of music, clever lighting and giant figures.
Symon Macintyre, Creative Director said, “We are absolutely delighted that our show has attracted the attention of Blue Peter, an institution when it comes to children’s television programmes. We were thrilled to show Barney and the crew around the woods and will all be glued to our screens on the 20th of October when the programme is aired.”
‘Dragon Matrix’ is supported by EventScotland, part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate, and is also part of the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016. The event is also supported by ANGUSalive, the culture, sport and leisure trust for the county of Angus and, for the first time, by The Space, which works with artists and arts organisations to support them to create great art and reach new audiences using digital technologies and platforms.
Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.dragonmatrix.org.uk.
Tickets are also available from the Webster Memorial Theatre, 64 High Street, Arbroath, DD11 1AW – telephone 01241 435800, email info@webstertheatre.co.uk or via www.webstertheatre.co.uk.
The Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 1pm-6pm and on Saturday, between 10am and 3pm. On performance nights, the Box Office hours will be extended, changing to Tuesday – Friday, 1pm-7.30-pm and on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6pm-7.30pm.
The main Woodland area and access to the North Pond at Monikie Country Park will be closed from 3 to 30 October. All other walks and trails, as well as access to all facilities are open as normal.
Further information is available at:
Website – dragonmatrix.org.uk
Facebook – facebook.com/VMDragonMatrix
Twitter – twitter.com/vmdragonmatrix
Instagram – instagram.com/dragonmatrix2016
Vision Mechanics can be contacted on telephone (0131) 554 8923, email info@visionmechanics.org or website visionmechanics.org.
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS
ANGUSalive is Scotland’s newest culture, sport and leisure trust has been operating since December 2015. The trust offers residents and visitors to Angus a wealth of services which promote healthy, active and creative lifestyle choices using our sports centres, country parks, theatres and venues, museums, galleries, archives and libraries across the county. For more information visit: http://www.angusalive.scot/ or https://www.facebook.com/ANGUSalive.Scot/
EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews. EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see www.visitscotland.org or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see www.visitscotland.com.
Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design
- 2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.
- The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design started on 1 January 2016 and will run until 31 December 2016. It will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.
- Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed fashion, textiles and design sector.
- The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, supported by partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).a
- The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate
The Space works with artists and arts organisations to create great art and reach new audiences through digital technologies and platforms. From learning and skills through to funding and commissioning, the organisation supports the best new and original talent. The Space was founded by the BBC and Arts Council, England.