Dolby Atmos makes its live cinema debut in Branagh's production of King Lear

Dolby Atmos, immersive audio technology, will be used in live theater for the first time for Shakespeare's “King Lear,” starring Kenneth Branagh, at The Shed's Griffin Theater, New York, October 26-December 15

Dolby Laboratoriesa provider of immersive entertainment experiences, has brought its Dolby Atmos sound to live cinema for the first time with a powerful new production of William Shakespeare King Learwith British actor and director Kenneth Branagh.

The Kenneth Branagh Theater Company's production of the classic tragedy can be seen live The shed's Griffin Theater in New York City from October 26th to December 15th with a series of 50 performances.

Presented by Dolby, the Griffin Theater production's sound installation utilizes Dolby Atmos, the immersive audio technology designed for cinema, streaming, gaming, sports, music and live events. Previously, the surround sound system was often used in cinemas, but not in live theater.

It is designed to expand existing surround sound systems by adding height channels that are interpreted as three-dimensional objects without horizontal or vertical constraints.

For the production of King LearThe production's creators say it will bring the physical space of the theater to life by allowing them to place audio effects and music around the audience and actors, even above them.

Jed Harmsen, head of cinema and group entertainment at Dolby, said: “Kenneth Branagh’s brilliant implementation of Dolby Atmos in films, such as his Oscar-winning film.” Belfastdemonstrate the power artists have to captivate audiences in ways never seen before.”

He added: “We celebrate and applaud the pioneering work of the Kenneth Branagh Theater Company and The Shed, whose collaboration with Dolby will be groundbreaking to bring Dolby Atmos to the world of stage performance, immersing audiences in the universe of the play through targeted sound design .” .”

Kenneth Branagh commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Dolby and Dolby Atmos again. It’s an exciting sonic extension of the immersive power of this epic tragedy.”

Kenneth Branagh plays the title role in the new production of King Learset in the barbaric landscape of ancient Britain. Featuring a cast of rising stars from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and co-directed by Rob Ashford, Branagh and Lucy Skilbeck, this production aims to unleash the power and turmoil of the play in a fast-paced production.

With the role of Lear, Branagh completes a trifecta of great Shakespearean tragic roles, complementing earlier appearances as hamlet in his Oscar-nominated film adaptation of the play (1996) and on stage as Macbeth in an acclaimed immersive production (2014).