Ian McKellen and more to star virtually in 'An Ark' off Broadway

The Shed will present this new play — blending live and recorded theatre in a mixed reality experience — by Olivier and Tony Award winner Simon Stephens.

Summary

• Ian McKellen; Golda Rosheuvel; Arinzé Kene; and Rosie Sheehy will virtually perform in An Ark off Broadway at The Shed from January 9 to March 1
• The mixed reality show features the actors' voices speaking directly to audience members through headsets
• The show blends recorded and live elements in a story about the human experience over the course of a lifetime

The Shed and Tin Drum will present the world premiere of the new play An Ark in 2026, playing a seven-week Off-Broadway run from January 9 to March 1 only.

Conceived and produced by Todd Eckert and written by Olivier and Tony Award winner Simon Stephens, An Ark is a genre-blending, "mixed reality" show that blends recorded elements with the live theatre experience. The show covers the span of a lifetime in 47 immersive minutes, exploring the grief, love, joy, and connection that defines the human experience.

A virtual ensemble cast including Ian McKellen, Golda Rosheuvel, Arinzé Kene, and Rosie Sheehy will speak to each audience member directly through a headset. Each performance accommodates up to 200 people in The Shed's Level 2 Gallery; the actors will not be physically present.

Direction is by UK Theatre Award winner Sarah Frankcom, production design is by Rosanna Vize, and capture is by 4DViews.

“I’m interested in using the technology of mixed reality to expand the traditional forms of theatre and film into something that isn’t otherwise possible—to bring us closer to the truth of ourselves through a new experience," said Eckert in a statement. "It feels like the essential point of art in the first place."

“Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of how stories are told, welcoming audiences to encounter new work where technology and theatre meet, and ultimately creating a totally new experience that feels both immediate, otherworldly, and profoundly intimate,” said Alex Poots, The Shed’s artistic director.

“Throughout my professional life I’ve defined myself as a theatre artist, and I’ve historically only ever been interested in working in the live medium. However, I’ve become very excited about how mixed reality might take an audience into a remarkable relationship with a group of actors and create completely new opportunities to experience a play and make theatre. This new medium creates a magical space for an extraordinarily intimate and mesmeric encounter with actors and story,” said Frankcom.

Photo credit: Ian McKellen, Golda Rosheuvel, Arinzé Kene, and Rosie Sheehy. (McKellen photo by Frederic Aranda, Rosheuvel photo by The Masons, Kene photo by Wolf Marloh, Sheehy photo by Yellowbelly Photo)