Immersion is a multi-sensory performance developed through a residency with Able Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva and Portland College. The work draws on the architecture and mechanics of Papplewick Pumping Station, translating its industrial systems into a live audio-visual environment.

The project began with on-site recording during a steaming day, capturing the movement, rhythm and sound of the engines in operation. Field recordings and video material gathered at the site formed the starting point for the composition, grounding the work in the physical behaviour of the machinery.
These materials were developed into a live performance, where musicians interact with both sound and visuals in real time. Using MIDI controllers, performers trigger and shape elements of the piece, creating a system that responds to gesture and timing rather than a fixed sequence.

The performance takes place within a circular LED environment surrounding a central stage. Musicians are positioned across the space, creating a push-pull dynamic that references the motion of the pumping engines. Light and sound move between these points, building a sense of rhythm, pressure and release across the environment.

The project also extends beyond the live performance, culminating in a filmed sequence within the station’s underground reservoir. This space, usually filled with water, becomes a stark, resonant setting that reflects the scale and material presence of the site.

Immersion brings together orchestral performance, digital systems and industrial heritage, using live interaction to translate mechanical processes into a shared, spatial experience.