Over 50 Christie 1DLP laser projectors are powering the “Ballad of Chu”, a large-scale immersive theatrical performance that blends history and technology, in Wuhan, in the Hubei province, China.
The 14,000sqm venue comprises multiple performance spaces, including the third-floor theatre, the second-floor “Zhaojun Goes to the Frontier” performance, and the “Battle of Red Cliffs” projection zone. Integrator Jianye Display played a pivotal role in the projection design, installation, and systems integration for the installations, completed in January this year.
The expansive third-floor theatre, equipped with 360-degree rotating seats, employs 36 Christie laser projectors to create a four-sided immersive stage. On the second floor, the “Zhaojun Goes to the Frontier” performance uses six Captiva DWU500S projectors with customised electric gauze screens to achieve a dreamlike, soft-focus effect.
Meanwhile, the “Battle of Red Cliffs” projection zone utilises three Inspire Series DWU860-iS projectors and gauze screens to bring ancient warfare to life with dynamic wall and floor projections.
The installations have large projection surfaces such as the 9.6m by 6m (31.5ft by 19.7ft) flying screen and the 10.6m by 6m (34.5ft by 19.7ft) projection wall featuring 4K13-HS projectors in the third-floor theatre. Additional projector models used for this spectacle include the DWU1612-HS, DWU8902-GS, DWU1100-GS, and DWU760-iS.
Ke Zhou, regional manager of Hubei district, Jianye Display, said: “Mulan Everbright Town has rapidly become a phenomenal night tourism landmark since its opening earlier this year. Christie’s 1DLP laser projectors were chosen for their high performance, colour accuracy, and reliability, which are essential for delivering high-impact visuals in immersive environments. This project blends tradition with cutting-edge technology, offering visitors an unforgettable cultural experience.”
Zhou noted that the team faced significant challenges during installation, particularly in the third-floor theatre, where precise projection mapping was required. They employed 3D simulation techniques to accurately model light paths at a 1:1 scale, ensuring optimal projector placement. To address environmental factors, weatherproof enclosures and intelligent temperature and humidity monitoring systems were implemented, safeguarding the projectors’ performance in demanding conditions.
