Research Study: Physiological Synchrony of Remote Theatre Audience Members

In association with Bristol University's research and innovation programme MyWorld, we are undertaking research with audience members of Complicité's Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead to scientifically uncover what it is that makes the experience of digital theatre a uniquely visceral and connecting experience, using pioneering techniques.

Find out more about the study below

What is this study about?

Becoming immersed in a performance or show is something most of us will have experienced - that experience of being so engaged in what we are watching, reading or listening to that we lose track of time and distractions in the environment. 

Despite being such a widely-experienced phenomenon, there is still so much to find out about what is happening – physiologically and psychologically – when we are immersed. 

One of the key aspects of immersion appears to be physiological synchrony between audience members, particularly in audience heart-rate.

We are looking to investigate this in a real audience, using wristband (“Fitbit-style”) devices that capture physiological data in real-time. 

They are entirely safe, comfortable and non-invasive. You can read more about them here.

We are also studying the 'at home' remote experience, by asking for volunteers to open a research app that will monitor the movement of their head while they watch the Live Broadcast from home.

What will the study involve? 

In Theatre/Remote:

If you choose to participate in the In Theatre/Remote study, upon arriving at Bristol Old Vic a researcher will fit you with the wristband, ensuring it is comfortable (we would ask participants to arrive by 7.00 pm to allow for this, as the broadcast will start at 7.30pm).

If you agree to take part in the study, you will be watching the broadcast in a remote viewing station at Bristol Old Vic which will include your own monitor and headphones. 

After the broadcast has finished we will also ask a few questions about your experience, to see how subjective reports correlate with physiological measures. This will take around 20 minutes and we will provide a complimentary drink while you complete them.

And that’s it! Your experience will otherwise be exactly the same as it would be if you weren’t participating - except you will receive a £30 Theatre Token for next time you go to the theatre!

At Home/Remote:

You can also opt in to take part in the At Home/Remote research study from home via a webcam and our research app while you watch the Live Broadcast. It is non-invasive and won't interrupt your experience of watching the broadcast at all.

Participants will need to use a laptop or personal computer with a webcam, watch alone and use a Firefox or Chrome browser

They will be sent a link to the research app in the pre-show email on the morning of the Live Broadcast screening, along with guidance on how to participate. Simply click the link to open the research app and follow the instructions to set up the webcam.

After the production, please head back to the research app page to answer a couple of questions. That's it! 

Who can take part?

As long as you are at least 18 years old, absolutely anybody can take part!

Are there any risks to taking part?

In Theatre/Remote: We do not anticipate any risks whatsoever, and this study has been approved by the Health and Safety Officer of the Faculty of Life Sciences, as well as the Research Ethics Committee at the School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol.

The devices used to measure physiological data are CE-certified, and as they are designed for clinical use, they are compliant with the associated safety regulations.

Crucially, no personal information will be associated with the physiological data, and no identifying information whatsoever will be collected (i.e. all data will be completely anonymised). Participants will be free to withdraw from the study at any time.

As we only have a finite number of wristbands, we are looking to recruit 14 participants from each performance, so will recruit on a first-come-first-served basis.

If you have any questions or would like any further information about the In Theatre/Remote research study, please email myworld@bristololdvic.org.uk or f.carter@bristol.ac.uk.

At Home/Remote: The research app has been developed at the University of Bath and approved by the Research Ethics Committee.

The webcam and research app will trace your face, virtually applying dots (as shown in the image above) which will then be tracked. Your face will not be seen by anyone – only the dots will be recorded. It's fully anonymous and not linked to any personal information.

Participation in any part of the research is purely optional. If audience members don't want to take part, they can simply not open the research app and just watch the show as normal by clicking through from their Ticket.Co booking email.

If you have any questions about the At Home/Remote research study, please contact Ana from the research team at +447761 701 013 or email: al2017@bath.ac.uk.