The Battle

Spring 1150. A civil war has plagued Denmark for almost 20 years. The battle for the Danish throne has wavered back and forth and claimed many victims; cousins and uncles have murdered each other.

Being the country's political and religious center, Viborg has repeatedly been the scene of bloody events. And now another big battle awaits… Will it be the last? Will there finally be peace?

Prince Valdemar has come to Viborg with his army - eager to avenge the murder of his father. The old bishop Svend tries to persuade the young prince to lay down his arms and choose the path of forgiveness, a struggle between the old warrior culture and the newly arrived Christianity.

Meanwhile, Knud 5. approaches the city with his Swedish mercenaries…

Who wins the historic battle? Valdemar or Knud? It is the audience who will decide, when we play with the course of history.

AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE IN VIRTUAL REALITY

4 actors wearing motion capture suits perform THE BATTLE on an outdoor stage located in Stænderpladsen (Viborg) together with 5 extras in VR headsets. Actors' movement sends motion data to a server that control the actions of the main characters in the animated 3D universe, a reconstruction of Viborg 1150, recreated in collaboration with Viborg Museum and Denmark's leading medieval experts.

5 audience members get the opportunity for the exclusive immersive experience to participate directly in the action on stage. Wearing VR headsets, they each get their own avatar who either fights in battle for team-Knud or team-Valdemar, or as a monk who helps Bishop Svend with the Mass before fight begins.

The rest of the audience can experience the performance physically on the square or from home via live streaming. Both the audience at Stænderpladsen and the audience from home can influence the outcome of the performance, by giving their opinion via a zoom link and in this way participate in the battle for the Danish throne.

The Battle is the 1st part of White Hole Theatre's epic drama 3 KINGS. In 2023 we will perform Valdemar’s Story, leading up to the full 3KINGS performance in 2024.