Immersion is a multi-sensory performance created during a collaborative residency with Able Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva, and Portland College. Inspired by the monumental architecture and mechanics of Papplewick Pumping Station - a Victorian-era marvel of steam-powered engineering - the piece transforms raw industrial energy into a dynamic, immersive live experience.

The project began with a visit to Papplewick on a “steaming day,” where Rebecca Smith (Urban Projections) captured the station in full motion. Field recordings of machinery, steam, and movement, alongside video footage, became the foundation for a new composition that would echo the rhythm and intensity of the site.

These elements were brought into the performance space, where they were developed into a collaborative work with the orchestra. Using Control One MIDI controllers, performers triggered visuals and sound live in real time, creating an evolving score rooted in interaction and presence.

Set within a 10-metre circular LED array surrounding a 360-degree stage, performers were positioned at opposite sides - mirroring the push-pull mechanics of Papplewick’s great steam engines. Light and sound pulsed between the two sides, evoking the rhythm of the pumps, and drawing audiences into a shifting, industrial choreography.

The piece culminated with a filmed performance inside Papplewick’s underground reservoir. Once filled with water, the empty chamber became an atmospheric setting for the final sequence - a powerful tribute to the scale, history, and ingenuity of this remarkable site.

Immersion is a celebration of engineering, energy, and collaboration - blending digital technology, orchestral performance, and industrial heritage into a unified, sensory experience.