A £1.5M interactive theatre that will take visitors on an intriguing journey into outer space to search for new life forms is being created at a North-East museum.

The advanced facility, which will open at the Life Science Centre in Newcastle in October, consists of a 165 dome-shaped screen overhead, with a diameter of about 30ft.

Holding about 65 seats, the theatre will allow visitors to control their experience, making choices through an interactive control panel built into the arm of their seat.

The centre has commissioned a 20-minute interactive show, called The Search for Life.

When visitors enter the theatre, they will take on the role of researchers on a mission to explore the requirements and conditions needed for life, piloting a spaceship, the Lifeseeker, across the Earth and deep into space.

The first part of the mission will be a training exercise exploring life on Earth, while the second part will see visitors use their knowledge to look for life in the solar system.

Linda Conlon, director of the Life Science Centre, said: "This will be a major new attraction for the centre and an engaging experience for audiences of all ages. The show will take the visitor on an interactive journey during which they will learn about the diversity of life on Earth and the extraordinary conditions under which it exists.

"From the frozen waters of Antarctica to the scalding volcanic vents at the bottom of the dark ocean, it will show that life comes in a startling and extraordinary assortment of forms."

Through audience participation and interaction, visitors will choose where their search for life will take them. These choices include the depths of the world's oceans, miles below the earth's crust or beyond earth into outer space.

Technology consultant group Visual Acuity has been appointed to transform an existing theatre into the "digital dome" in time for a public opening during October half-term.

The company will act as project manager and will oversee the refurbishment and re-design of the theatre.

De pinxi, a Belgian company specialising in producing interactive experiences, will create the Search for Life show, with content support provided by British-based documentary makers Touch Productions.

Published: 19/04/2005