PhD Festival 2026 : Performance

The PhD Festival Performance programme brings together live works emerging from doctoral research across Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon College of Arts. The performances explore what becomes possible when research is situated in the live encounter and how research can be developed through the body, the space and the presence of an audience.

The programme offers an opportunity to encounter research through performance and to consider what the live event can reveal that other forms of presentation might not.

With performances by Yijie Li and Olga MacRinici

Please note that Yijie Li's performance takes place on a one-to-one basis and six slots will be available. Options for individual booking will be made available shortly.

Part of PhD Festival 2026, the second annual festival of doctoral research across Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts.

Performances

Double Manifestation

By Yijie Li

Double Manifestation reimagines Chinese shadow puppetry (Pi-Ying-Xi) through mixed reality, adapting the traditional Chinese story The Butterfly Lovers. Combining live performance, virtual imagery and audience interaction, the work explores how immersive technologies might transform the relationships between puppeteers, puppets and audiences. While one participant enters the mixed reality environment and interacts with the unfolding narrative, other spectators witness the performance from outside the headset. Through these different modes of engagement, Double Manifestation explores new possibilities for participation and spectatorship within contemporary puppetry.

Tuesday 10 November, 2.15pm, 2.30pm, 2.45pm, 3pm, 3.15pm, 3.30pm, AG09

Content warning:

Age recommendation: 10+

Some participants may experience dizziness or motion sickness when viewing 3D content through the MR headset.

Approximate duration: 12 minutes

Each performance accommodates one Participant wearing an MR headset. The listed time slots are for headset participants only.

Other audience members can attend as Spectators without wearing a headset. The number of spectators will depend on the venue capacity. Spectators can enter and leave freely throughout the performances, and no seating is planned.

The Participant will need to move within a designated area while wearing the headset. This area must be kept clear of obstacles to ensure safe movement.