Monday, 24 May 2021
The first live theatre event at Lakeside Arts is an interactive, sensory experience for children featuring robot technology to bring circus themed installations to life.
Taking place during May half term (29th May – 6th June), Thingamabobas is a playful, contactless, circus-themed installation that will stimulate the senses as participants interact with hybrid mechanized smart sculptures crafted from sustainable and found objects.
The installation has been led by Roma Patel an Alumni of Horizon CDT at the University of Nottingham and Rachel Ramchurn from Makers of Imaginary Worlds who have worked with the Mixed Reality Laboratory to embed sensing technologies and machine learning into the sculptures.
An actor will play the ‘ringmaster’ and guide families around the Djanogly Theatre, introducing them to their collection of weird and wonderful machines, explaining how they work and the story behind each one. The sculptures design, aesthetics and movements reference traditional circus acts.
There are four extraordinary exhibits including: a dancing robotic bird that uses facial recognition to ‘wake’ and react, tracking audience movement to dance. The micro Machinerium features miniature performers made from found objects and forgotten materials in a 100-year-old original French bird cage. There is also the Power Horse that needs pedaling to activate the animated dancers and the smart chef sorter that uses machine learning to sort marbles.
Thingamabobas at Lakeside Arts - 29 May - 6 June
Roma said: “Children have been reliant on screens for entertainment and storytelling for well over a year and we wanted to tap into their imaginations and creativity with this show. Thingamabobas really is a visual feast with contactless interaction designed to be Covid safe, but without feeling restrained. Working with the Mixed Reality Lab at the university we have been able to use robotic technology to bring some of the installations to life and we hope the audience will really enjoy and engage with the playful journey we are taking them on.”
Tim Rushby, Lakeside’s Head of Audience Development and Marketing said: “Everyone at Lakeside is delighted to be able to once again welcome audiences to events and exhibitions at Lakeside. Thingamabobas promises to be a special event that will allow families time to explore and investigate together. It is one of a number of events for families during May half term and the weeks following – from outdoor workshops and shows for all the family to online superhero adventures.
Rachel added: “We’ve had to really change the way we put together our installations and performances due to the considerations we need to make for Covid safety. We’re delighted with Thingamabobas we have been able to create contactless interaction with the installations that still give people an immersive and engaging experience.”
Children will also be able to create their own Thingamabobas which they will be able to upload to a gallery on the Makers of Imaginary Worlds’ website.
To ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for all, Lakeside is limiting performances to one family bubble of up to six visitors per 30 minute timeslot. To find out more or book go to: https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/children-and-families/event/5443/thingamabobas.html
Lakeside’s popular Pavilion Café and externally accessed public toilets will remain open through this period, with the café operating a takeaway-only service.
Story credits
For more information please contact Rachel at Rachel@makersofimaginaryworlds.co.uk or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 951 5751 or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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