A collection of 20 virtual creatures are preparing to set up home in deep, dark Angus woodland.
With less than a month until Dragon Matrix welcomes its first visitors to Monikie Country Park, the county saw the launch of a special app, with a sneak peek at three of the new talking creatures preparing to entice, engage and enthral audiences.
A mystical cat, silver fairy and white wizard were revealed to whet the appetite of Augmented Reality enthusiasts, a phenomenon which has exploded worldwide with the success of Pokemon Go.
The inaugural DragonQuest attracted over 5,000 visitors last year and this year’s event will feature trolls, a fairy glen and a path of spiders in the dark woods of ANGUSalive’s Monikie Country Park.
The mystical spectacular will see visitors embark on a quest to track six dragon stones, stolen from the Museum of Dragons, in the installation which will be set up throughout October.
Vision Mechanics, the Edinburgh theatre company behind Big Man Walking, Giants in the Forest and Embrace is creating the event.
Working in conjunction with the company’s artistic director Symon Macintyre, the creatures have once again been created by Saara Väkiparta and other animation graduates from Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.
The Dragon Matrix App will reveal a world of magical creatures which visitors can scan and snap for social media, friends and family.
Dragon Matrix is supported by EventScotland and ANGUSalive, and for the first time is also receiving backing from The Space, which works with artists and arts organisations to reach new audiences using digital technologies and platforms.
Jim Clarkson, VisitScotland regional director Jim Clarkson said: “Dragon Matrix, with its enthralling stories and state-of-the-art technology, has become one of the most exciting and eagerly anticipated events of 2016 in Angus.
“The financial boost provided by EventScotland’s national funding programme will also ensure the second year of this completely unique event is even more spectacular than the first, attracting visitors from near and far.”
Kirsty Hunter, ANGUSalive chief executive added, “ANGUSalive is thrilled to bring back this outdoor theatre spectacular to Angus.
“Dragon Matrix is the second instalment of the augmented reality adventure. In 2015 we attracted over 5,000 visitors to enjoy this exciting dark wood event in the wonderful woodlands of Monikie Country Park.
“We look forward to welcoming audiences to let their imaginations run wild in the new game.”