Well, it’s been live since mid-July, but I’ve been so GD busy that I haven’t really helped to promote this very cool thing… until now!
The Imaginary Real is a free app by Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland (the same folks who did I Forgive You). Download it to your phone, activate your GPS, and go exploring in St. John’s. Follow the map to specific sites, and when you find one you get to hear a story. There are 20 stories in all, by writers who feel a strong connection to St. John’s. Some of them perform their own stories; some are performed by actors. A small team of directors helped to bring together the performances. Sound design by Chris Brookes and Rebecca Nolan elevates the stories and each one is accompanied by images designed by Andrea Cooper.
I was lucky enough to be asked to direct 5 of them:
Mainland Money, written and performed by Daze Jefferies
The Happiest Place on Earth, written by Azal Dosanjh and performed by Behak Rueentan
Sanctuaries, written and performed by Ayse Sule Akinturk
By the Hush, written and performed by Fionn Shea
Dovy, written and performed by Paul David Power
If you’re in town, you should definitely get this app. Once you’ve downloaded it, all the stories are just hanging out in your phone, so you don’t have to use any data while you’re out and about.
It’s a really neat experience. I have the app on my phone, and whenever I’m out and about with a few minutes to spare, I’ll open it up and see if there’s a site nearby. It offers a few minutes of stillness, taking in the view, hearing a story as if someone was whispering it into your ear.
