FAMOUS FACES FROM THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY’S COLLECTION BROUGHT TO LIFE IN NEW IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE, CREATED BY FRAMELES

WINSTON CHURCHILL, CHARLES DARWIN, QUEEN ELIZABETH I, QUEEN ELIZABETH II, NCUTI GATWA, AUDREY HEPBURN, DOROTHY HODGKIN, MAI, NELSON MANDELA, EMMELINE PANKHURST, GRAYSON PERRY, MARY SEACOLE, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, AMY WINEHOUSE, OSCAR WILDE, VIRGINIA WOOLF, MALALA YOUSAFZAI UNVEILED TO THE PUBLIC AT MEDIACITY IN MANCHESTER ON FRIDAY 2 MAY

The National Portrait Gallery and FRAMELESS Creative, the UK’s leading creator of immersive experiences, announced today the line-up for Stories – Brought to Life, the first immersive art experience of a UK national collection, opening to the public at MediaCity in Manchester on Friday 2 May and running until Sunday 31 August ahead of a planned national tour with dates to be announced. (Press Preview Thursday 1 May).

The ground-breaking new immersive, cinematic show, from the creators of FRAMELESS, promises to redefine the gallery experience, with an emotionally charged spectacle that pushes the boundaries of creative storytelling.

Visitors will step into a world where the sitters’ stories come alive. This unique experience explores the fascinating lives behind some of the most iconic faces from the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection who have shaped the UK’s history and culture. From royalty and cultural icons to fearless leaders and national heroes, past and present, their stories will unfold in an unforgettable journey that fuses the best of art, technology and powerful human storytelling. Featured people include Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth II, Ncuti Gatwa, Audrey Hepburn, Dorothy Hodgkin, Mai, Nelson Mandela, Emmeline Pankhurst, Grayson Perry, Mary Seacole, William Shakespeare, Amy Winehouse, Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf and Malala Yousafzai.

The stories will be presented on a spectacular scale, travelling across specially created frames, drawing on unprecedented access to industry leading visual effects, music and imagery, to give visitors a new way to experience some of the stories that form part of the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection. For its premiere in Manchester, Stories – Brought to Life will be presented in a specially designed, 10,000 sq ft state of the art, immersive digital gallery in the heart of MediaCity.

The FRAMELESS team, including production partner Cinesite, the leading digital Hollywood visual effects company, known for their contributions to blockbuster films including the Harry Potter and the Marvel franchises, has worked closely with the expert curators at the National Portrait Gallery to tell the authentic, inspiring stories of some of its most loved sitters. The new experience brings together a rich tapestry of media, from archival content and photography to excerpts from powerful speeches and original animation.

“Working with a cultural institution like the National Portrait Gallery has been a unique experience, especially having the opportunity to draw upon the deep knowledge and passion of the curatorial team. But the magic has also come from studying the sitters and working with the families, estates and the sitters themselves to understand more about the individuals behind the portraits. Being able to delve deep into the life stories of the individuals and then bring them to life through the power of emotional, immersive storytelling has been a very special experience and we’re excited to share this with the public when we open in Manchester in May.” Ryan ‘Woody’ Atwood, Creative Director for FRAMELESS Creative.

“The National Portrait Gallery is home to the largest collection of portraits in the world and hanging on our walls are some of the most remarkable people to have ever lived. Working with the team from FRAMELESS, and through exploring new technologies and creative approaches, has allowed us to look at the Collection is a completely new light. We are embarking on a journey of discovery, which we hope will inspire and entertain a new audience.” Rab MacGibbon, Cross-Collections Curator, National Portrait Gallery.

Stories – Brought to Life is presented through an innovative new partnership, National Portrait Gallery Unframed, between the National Portrait Gallery and FRAMELESS, the leading creator of immersive experiences. To create the experience, the National Portrait Gallery granted FRAMELESS’ award[1]winning team access to its Collection. The experience will open to the public on 2 May and run until 31August at MediaCity, Salford, Greater Manchester, before going on a UK tour (dates to be announced).

Visit npgunframed.com to buy tickets or for more information. Follow the official Facebook and Instagram accounts for further information and announcements: @npgunframedtour