News Culture

Colosseum recalls opening games with virtual reality

By: Wanted in Rome

Date:

13 Jul, 2018

First show produced by Colosseum archaeological park.

A new multimedia show inside the Colosseum recalls the 100-day inaugural games held to celebrate the completion of the amphitheatre in 80 AD.

Entitled Sangue e Arena (Blood and Arena), the virtual reality show uses holograms, sound and light to conjure up the lavish - and gruesome - opening events ordered by Emperor Titus.

The immersive show brings to life the gladiatorial combats, naval battles and ferocious fights between wild animals, all in the very arena in which the scenes took place two millennia ago.

Sangue e Arena is the first production held under the managment of the new Colosseum archaeological park whose director Alfonsina Russo said the Colosseum had regained its "original function as a venue for shows."

The production's €500,000 cost was funded by ticket sales and took four months of work in collaboration with the museums and exhibitions division of the publishing house Electa. The show was created by Canadian multimedia company Graphics eMotion, in consultation with the management of the archaeological park and a team of archaeologists, historians and architects.

Sangue e Arena takes place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 27 October, with three half-hour shows per night, at 21.30, 22.30 and 23.30, and tickets cost €20. The shows are held in English and Italian but are not recommended for children under six years of age. For full details see Coopculture website.