Maggie Bain is a non-binary actor, movement practitioner, collaborative theatre maker, voice actor and creative technology and performance consultant with over 18 years’ experience. In 2021 they performed the role of Cobweb ‘DREAM’ (RSC, Philharmona & Marshmallow Laser Feast), an online immersive theatre show. Since then their creative focus has broadened to include XR technologies and Virtual Production. They have been invited to speak at prestigious conferences such as SXSW & BEYOND, and at the Houses of Parliament in their role as Creative Consultant to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Digital Department. They are co-directing and performing in Shapeshifter, a location-based experience leveraging live motion-capture and VR headsets to immerse audiences in new ways of seeing the natural world and the diversity within it. 

Ruth Mariner is a creative director and narrative designer who creates story-driven experiences within immersive technology (extended, virtual and augmented reality) and video games. Her background is as an award-winning writer and director in opera and immersive theatre. Career highlights include Creative Director of the BBC Dream Prom, as well as writing and directing roles for Royal Academy of Music, The Royal Opera House and English National Opera. She has created experiences for museums and communities including The Museum of London and The Eden Project, and been featured on BBC Radio 3, ITV and Channel 4 news. As a creative director, Ruth uses her love of bold concepts and her understanding of environmental storytelling to create impact and immersion. Recent clients include XR Stories, indie game studio Idoz & Phops, and Aardman Animations.

Producer: Toki Allison.

Paradise Bleeding

On the fringes of a Peak District town, a gang of amateur rock climbers escape from themselves by pushing each other to the limits both on and off the rocks. But when an enigmatic stranger infiltrates the group, the lines between desire and obsession blur as the young climbers fixate on conquering a mythical, hostile route.