The theatrical production Going Rural made its debut this autumn at the prestigious China National Opera House, captivating audiences with an innovative blend of storytelling and cutting-edge technology. Co-produced by China Coal Mine Art Troupe, Shaanxi People’s Art Theatre Company Limited, and People.cn Co., Ltd., the production received funding from the China National Art Fund 2023. And its successful blend of advanced audio technology with traditional storytelling marks a turning point for immersive theatrical experiences in China.

The premiere at the China National Opera House further highlighted the production’s significance. The venue, which opened in July 2022, offered an architectural and acoustic setting that perfectly complemented the production’s innovative approach to sound design.

Featuring an L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound system from L-Acoustics combined with BlackTrax tracking technology, the production redefines theatrical soundscapes, transforming the performance into a 360° immersive audio journey. This groundbreaking integration placed audiences at the heart of rural China’s agricultural transformation, immersing them in the challenges and renewal of Yuan Di Village—a key apple-producing region along the Yellow River.

The decision to implement L-ISA immersive audio technology showcased its versatility and ability to elevate theatrical productions. “The sound on stage and the actors’ subtle expressions achieved perfect harmony,” remarked Han Hongzhi, vice president of the China Society of Stage Art and director of the Audio Professional Committee. “The vocal clarity and positioning accuracy brought audiences directly into the story. As a national theatre company, the China Coal Mine Art Troupe has achieved remarkable results with this production.”

Sound designer Zhang Haikun collaborated with L-Acoustics certified system engineers to craft a sophisticated audio solution that aligned with the production’s artistic vision while overcoming the physical constraints of the venue. Using the L-Acoustics Soundvision 3D simulation software, the team meticulously planned speaker placement and coverage requirements to ensure an optimised audio experience.

The resulting L-ISA configuration comprised five main arrays, each featuring two units of the A15 Focus and two A15 Wide enclosures, selected for their compact size and medium-throw capabilities. Two hangs of KS21 subwoofers were positioned behind the central array to deliver deep, impactful bass. For spatial front-fill, ten units of the 5XT speakers were evenly distributed across the stage lip, while an additional ten units of the X8 enclosures provided surround sound, strategically positioned around the sides and back of the auditorium.

The system relied on dual L-ISA Processor II servers connected via Milan-AVB networking, with signal conversion and redundancy managed through the L-Acoustics LC16D network audio bridge. This setup ensured seamless integration and provided consistent spatial coverage throughout the audience area, maintaining pristine sound quality and precision.

Performers wore BlackTrax beacons, enabling real-time positional tracking that seamlessly communicated with the L-ISA system. This technology ensured dialogue and vocals remained accurately spatialised, regardless of performer movement.

“The integration of L-ISA and BlackTrax represents a significant advancement in theatrical sound design,” explained Zhang Haikun. “This collaboration allowed us to create an immersive environment where audiences experienced perfect synchronisation between what they saw and heard, bringing them closer to the performance than ever before.”

Leveraging the object-based mixing capabilities of L-ISA, the production team designed a rich sonic environment that enhanced the narrative. Sounds of the Yellow River’s flowing waters, wind, rain, and thunder enveloped the audience, creating a vivid backdrop that complemented the storyline. The immersive sound system also maintained crystal-clear dialogue and musical elements, ensuring the narrative remained at the forefront.

By utilising spatial audio processing, the system enabled precise positioning of sound effects and music, shifting acoustic environments to match the story’s evolving locations. This dynamic audio approach deepened audience engagement, connecting them more intimately with the tale of rural development and technological innovation.

“This production illustrates how L-ISA immersive audio technology can transform traditional theatrical spaces into multidimensional environments,” noted Han Hongzhi. “Its ability to create precise, spatially accurate soundscapes while preserving intelligibility represents a remarkable leap forward for theatrical sound design.”

With Going Rural, immersive audio has set a new benchmark for theatrical productions, proving the power of technology to amplify both storytelling and audience experience.