Immersive, Intimate, Unfiltered: The Ode Islands Is Not Your Average One-Woman Show

Blending theatre, virtual reality and interactive storytelling, The Ode Islands is a new one-woman show unfolding in a fully digital environment. Following the story of Ornagh, a woman caught in a storm and cast adrift across a chain of surreal islands, this production explores her sense of identity, sexuality, gender, and body image.

Ahead of the show’s premier at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we caught up with director and performer Ornagh.

Where did the initial spark for this journey come from?

The initial spark for this journey began about two and a half years ago when I started developing virtual reality environments inspired by my personal experiences. Each of these experiences had a linking narrative, but they had mostly been seen as separate pieces. When I was offered a headline slot at an arts festival, I realised it was the perfect chance to showcase how these virtual worlds connect and tell a larger story. While preparing for that, I shared the idea with someone who suggested it would make a fantastic show for the Fringe. They connected me with Anthony at The Pleasance, who loved the concept, and that’s how we decided to bring these digital worlds to life on stage.

The show takes place in a virtual world that reacts to how you move and feel. What’s it like performing inside that kind of space?

Performing inside this kind of virtual, reactive space is an entirely new experience for me. It’s definitely more challenging than anything I’ve done combining digital works and performance before. Because of the digital cast I have to lock down the dialogue and interactions much earlier than a traditional show as every change impacts the digital elements. If we want to change what they say have to recreate that character which takes time! It’s been much more work, but the result is so rewarding. The beautiful holograms on the gauze and the virtual reality backdrops, along with the characters coming to life on screen, make it feel incredibly immersive, like I’m truly in my own world, and that’s very fulfilling. 

How do you balance vulnerability with performance in such an immersive, tech-heavy setting?

Balancing vulnerability in such an immersive, tech-heavy space is really about weaving my own story into every element. Everything you see on screen is a reflection of my own art, style, and vision. The performance tells a very personal story about a transformative journey in my life, and even though the audience sees a surreal version of it, it’s still a piece of me they’re watching. The technology, from the holograms to the virtual backdrops, is all crafted from my creations, and I’m the one voicing and performing these characters. So, even though there's a lot of tech involved, the human story and the vulnerability are at the core. I hope that by sharing this journey, I can connect with people who understand what it means to go through challenges and grow from them.

What do you love most about mixing art with technology?

What I love most about mixing art with technology is the endless possibilities it offers. Without the constraints of scale or gravity, and with infinite space to create, I was drawn to the freedom and potential that technology brings. It allows me to blend all my previous mediums: performance, dance, and my unique art style, into immersive experiences. Plus, the ability to scan from the real world physical art and integrate them means that the I there is no medium I have to let go, only more dimensions and possibilities to create in. I’ve always been passionate about immersive and spatial art, and this technology truly allows this endlessly. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be creating, and I feel so blessed to be living in this era.

If you could live on one of your surreal islands for a day, which would it be—and why?

If I could live on one of my surreal islands for a day, I would choose Ode to Her Island. This island is all about reclaiming parts of myself and transforming them into something beautiful. One of the highlights is the body sculpture graveyard, where I've turned parts of myself that I once struggled with into stunning sculptures made of precious metals, making it feel like a beautiful exhibition. There’s also a queer club and underground dance spaces, along with a womb room for calm and meditation. It’s like all my favorite things in the real world recreated in this magical surrealist plain.

Supposedly the story starts from the moment someone books a ticket. What kind of surprises might people get before they even arrive at the theatre?

The story truly begins the moment someone books a ticket, and I'm thrilled to be launching my startup with my co-founders Ian Funnell and Ben Dawson -Immersiv.es with our new Immersive Ticket at 'The Ode Islands Show' at Edinburgh Fringe. This platform allows audiences to dive into the immersive experience right from the point of purchase of their ticket. They’ll get behind-the-scenes access, interviews, hints, clues, and introductions to the characters, making the journey even more engaging. It also unlocks special secrets at the venue and preserves all your memories from the show afterward. It’s definitely worth signing up for The Immersive Ticket to become part of the story from the very start! You can follow the story at www.ornagh.com/ode 

The Ode Islands runs at Pleasance EICC, Lammermuir, 31 July - 16 Aug (not 4, 5, 11 & 12), 16.00-16.45. Tickets available at https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-ode-islands