A new museum, anchored by immersive experiences that spotlight the town’s colourful heritage, ensure the visitors leave understanding the massive impact Blackpool has on British entertainment and popular culture. Across six galleries, designed by Casson Mann, Showtown invites visitors behind the curtain to explore and celebrate the town’s circus, magic, stage shows and dance cultures, plus its world-famous illuminations and beachfront.
Each gallery is a testament to the power of immersive storytelling. Knowing that Showtown’s audiences would be predominantly non-traditional museum goers, alongside the competitive tourist attraction environment, motivated a unique museum vibe.
Upon entry to the ‘Beside the Seaside’ gallery, visitors are greeted by a panoramic, 15-meter-long screen. Our animations highlight famous faces and voices, and depict the daily events of this dynamic seaside space, allowing excited visitors to find their face in comical scenarios within the stunning scene. We also created some unique guides: an animated donkey and a seagull. The characters guide visitors through the whole exhibition, blending high-level narration with intricate details to ensure an engaging journey through Blackpool history.
The ‘How’s Tricks?’ magic gallery innovates with four AV screens embedded in a shelving unit. The solution combines physical objects, such as cup-and-ball tricks, playing cards and linking rings, with digital depth, including films of legendary magicians like Tommy Cooper and Sooty.
’Roll Up! Roll Up!’ presents museum goers with a sneak peak of behind the scenes at the circus, including interactive dressing tables with two-way, interactional mirrors. A button triggers a video edit featuring clowns, a daredevil and a ringmaster who bring to life objects in nearby display cases, as well as a projection in an immersive circus show with archive footage set to newly commissioned audio tracks.
‘It’s Showtime!’ invites the visitors backstage to try their hand at becoming a show producer pivoting around an interactive audition to immerse visitors in the world of showbiz. Animated posters reflect the breadth of artists who’ve performed in Blackpool’s venues numerous over the years.
A standout feature is the “Pepper’s Ghost” animation technique, which brings drag cabaret artists Funny Girls and other iconic performers to life.
In the ‘It’s Better with the Lights on’ illuminations section, our worktable interactive displays invite visitors to have a go at being an illumination designer and delight in seeing their creations projected on the virtual promenade.
In the ‘Everybody Dance Now’ gallery, visitors explore the evolution of dance couture through a dressmaker’s table narrated by Strictly Come Dancing costume designer Vicky Gill, and appreciate the history Blackpool has with ballroom dancing in a projection-mapped ballroom scene narrated by head judge and dance professional Len Goodman. A curved wall AV allows visitors to place their heads onto projections of moving bodies dancing through different dance styles through the ages.
By filming dancers and creating an intricate digital performance space, we quite literally set the stage for museum goers to actively participate in Blackpool’s storied dance culture. The interactive is also accessible for wheelchair users.
At Showtown visitors are encouraged to laugh out loud, feel nostalgic and to have a go. Showtown creates big reactions with internationally significant stories of entertainment featuring some of the biggest names in the business.
Partners
Casson Mann – exhibition designers, All Things Told, Coda to Coda, Beck Interiors, Sysco Productions, Aivaf Ltd, Berry Place.