Singapore Repertory Theatre Launches Immersive Theatre Experience on Roblox
The Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) has introduced an innovative immersive theatrical experience on the gaming platform Roblox, aiming to attract a younger audience to engage with Shakespeare’s classic, Macbeth, in a digital setting. This initiative is part of the National Arts Council (NAC)’s Project Arts Metaverse (PAM), which seeks to reinterpret the iconic play, allowing participants to delve into the psyche of its tragic protagonist within a stylized science fiction environment. Created by Metakey in collaboration with MeshMinds and with guidance from TBWA\Singapore’s innovation team, this Roblox adaptation takes key scenes from SRT’s outdoor production of Macbeth and reworks them to appeal to a tech-savvy youth demographic. This project marks the first of four pilot initiatives under PAM, a program driven by NAC aimed at investigating the evolution of the arts in digital spaces. The rollout follows extensive workshops organized by TBWA that brought together creatives from the arts and technology sectors.
Collaboration for Educational Enrichment
The NAC, in partnership with the advertising agency, has closely collaborated with SRT to establish a vital connection with Metakey, ensuring that the development of “Macbeth on Roblox” aligns with educational goals. The game is designed to serve as a supplementary tool for educators, meticulously crafted to meet the Ministry of Education’s learning outcomes for literature for both lower and upper secondary education levels. This resource aims to enhance students’ comprehension and appreciation of Shakespeare’s works and literature in general.
Revolutionizing Classical Theatre for New Audiences
“Macbeth on Roblox” is anticipated to surpass half a million gameplay sessions within the upcoming year, introducing a novel way for classical theatre to connect with future audiences, according to a statement from TBWA. Victor Ang, the NAC’s director of technology and innovation, remarked, “Through Project Arts Metaverse, NAC empowers artists and arts organizations to innovate and explore, transforming the virtual landscape to offer audiences engaging experiences with the arts.” He emphasized that this adaptation of Macbeth highlights how the Alliance for Action (AfA) framework encourages productive collaboration between public, private, and community sectors.
Bridging Live Theatre and Digital Worlds
SRT’s managing director, Charlotte Nors, expressed that the initiative stems from a goal to close the gap between traditional live theatre and the digital environments frequented by younger audiences. “The youth spend a significant amount of time in online spaces and gaming worlds. We recognized a compelling opportunity to introduce theatre into this digital realm and ignite interest in the arts among young people,” she noted.
Innovating Arts Accessibility Through Digital Platforms
Melissa Daniels, head of innovation at TBWA\Asia and TBWA\Singapore, highlighted the potential of “Disruption” to forge meaningful connections. She stated, “Investigating how emerging digital spaces can dismantle conventional barriers is part of our commitment to making art and culture accessible to new generations.” While leveraging the metaverse via Roblox is not a novel concept for Singaporean brands and agencies, the educational focus of “Macbeth on Roblox” brings a refreshing revival to this approach.
Recent Metaverse Initiatives in Singapore
In 2023, during the peak of Roblox’s popularity, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) made its foray into the metaverse with the introduction of ChangiVerse, a new experience designed in collaboration with Accenture. This virtual platform offered audiences a novel means to engage with the airport and explore its renowned attractions. Later that same year, DBS launched its own metaverse initiative, DBS BetterWorld, which incorporated gamification in the virtual space to promote positive causes such as sustainability and reducing food waste.
