Hippodrome back with Van Gogh experience
THE Birmingham Hippodrome is finally reopening its doors after a six-month shutdown.
From October 8, the venue will host Van Gogh Alive – “a multi sensory experience giving visitors the sensation of walking inside the paintings of one of the world’s most famous artists”.
Van Gogh Alive has been presented in over 50 international cities including Madrid, Rome, Milan, Abu Dhabi and Beijing. Hosting the the UK premiere of the family friendly exhibition, which has won rave reviews, is a huge coup for the Hippodrome, which is struggling to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Dutch post-impressionist painter’s work including Sunflowers, The Starry Night, and over 3,000 more images will be digitally displayed on giant screens, walls, ceiling, floor of the Hippodrome main stage.
Visitors will also be able to smell fragrances specifically designed to evoke the setting of the paintings.
The exhibition, which runs until December 31, will adhere to social distancing and strict Covid safety guidelines, with bookings made in alloted time slots.
A Hippodrome spokeswoman said: “For first time the audience will be allowed on to our main stage – where Van Gogh Alive will take place – giving you the sensation of walking straight into his paintings – engaging all senses – sight, sound and smell.”
Like many businesses, the theatre has been forced to adapt its business model post Covid. Fiona Allan, the Hippodrome’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, said: “It being financially unviable for Birmingham Hippodrome to re-open for live performance until social distancing guidance is relaxed, we have had to completely rethink how to use the building and how to serve our public.
“The opportunity to do something completely different with our spaces, and still provide a high quality and compelling cultural experience, came at exactly the right moment.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street praised the venue for “adapting and thinking outside the box” to overcome the challenges of working post Covid. He added: “Many sectors are going through an incredibly difficult period due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the arts is no exception.”