Voices From The Courts
Voices From The Courts is an unique heritage experience combining location-aware technology with narration, music and augmented reality to bring to life the real stories of young people tried in Bristol's Old Magistrates Courts.
We were asked:
Create a vibrant, interactive interpretation that reaches a wide range of audiences, using creative technology to bring historical stories from the Old Magistrates’ Courts to life.
Bristol’s original Magistrates Courts date back to 1870 and was a functioning ‘peoples’ court until the 1970s. Creative Youth Network, the largest charity provider of youth services in the South West, purchased the building and have redeveloped the site in as The Courts; a creative enterprise hub. Supported by National Lottery Heritage funding, Creative Youth Network commissioned dBs Pro to bring to life the building's original histories as a free to enjoy digital heritage experience.
The brief was ambitious, with an emphasis on innovation, youth engagement, accessibility and revisit potential. Central themes were established by Creative Youth Network’s ‘Youth Advisory Board’ (YAB), a youth steering group setup to ensure the building and the heritage experience would align with young people's needs and aspirations. These themes included:
To tell young people's stories of law and order, judgement and justice in the past, connecting us to today.
Inform audiences about the historical context of the building. Its function as a court and the perspective of the accused, the victims and those part of the “the courts’ system” .
To create freedom of interpretation in the minds of the audience.
To provoke audiences to consider the role of the Justice System then and today.
To connect the history of the building to its future use as a creative enterprise hub.
We created:
Working in collaboration with Controlled Frenzy, CYNs Youth Advisory Board and emerging talent from dBs Institute we produced and installed an interactive audio experience for The Courts. More than your typical audio guide, Voices From The Courts makes use of cutting-edge technology and expertly crafted content to engage the audience in a unique experience bespoke to The Courts. The experience brings to life the building’s history through the stories of three historical figures who were tried in the original Magistrates Courts, and one fictional character who acts as the experiences guide.
Through real-life stories, revived and re told by professional writers and voice actors, Voices From The Courts aims to provoke audiences to consider the role of justice in society; telling stories of law and order, judgement and justice and connecting these historical narratives to today.
As with all dBs Pro projects, co-creation was central in design and production of Voices From The Courts. The project engaged 18 professionals working in collaboration with 9 young people alongside 21 emerging creatives from the local community.
Location aware technology
As you explore the historic site our audio narration and original soundtrack adapt depending on your location. The building comes to life, offering you a more dynamic, personal and immersive interaction with the space. Our characters invite you to look and even touch specific features in the building, linking location and narrative together. Your mobile device can stay in your pocket, with your eyes free to enjoy The Courts stunning 19th century interior.
Immersive audio
Spatial 360 ‘Dolby Atmos’ audio creates a life-like, immersive audio experience blending with the natural buildings acoustics. Augmented Reality audio blends seamlessly with the real sounds occurring in The Courts. Characters voices and footsteps move all around you creating a deeply immersive and personal audio experience.
Chose your own depth
Our bespoke app allows you to chose how deep to go. The more time you spend with the experience and its characters, the more experience features become available. The experience is non-linear, allowing for repeat visits, each time offering something new. The experience accommodates a wide range of audiences by providing them with agency to explore what interests them most.
“We’re incredibly proud of the Voices from the Courts project which has been a genuine collaboration between the creative industries and young people. The heritage experience brings alive the building and its history, inviting those who worked on it as well as the many who will now immerse themselves in the stories the space holds, and reflect on the way it has affected young people’s lives for centuries.”
Partners and collaborators
‘Voices from The Courts’ was produced by dBs Pro & Controlled Frenzy for Creative Youth Network. Created in collaboration with young people from CYN and students from dBs Institute.
Concept: Jay Auborn, Chirstopher Hunt,Montel Brown, Joe Hall, Rebecca Edery.
App development: Chirstopher Hunt, Jamie Gibney, Sound Reactions, Clara Uhlendorf.
Visuals: Abbi Baylis (Portraits) Honest Studio, CYN creatives, Sam Whitney-Morris, Eight Grey
Scripts: Kim Sherwood (Thresa Garnett & Edmund Harris), Brenda Callis (Henry Burchill & Lady Justice) Montel Brown (Lady Justice), Ru Burroughs (Consultation)
Voices: Teddy Skinner as Edmund Harris, Ru Burroughs as Henry Burchill, Maria Hemming as Theresa Garnett & Mrs Harris, Theia Johnson as Lady Justice, Saul Jaffe as HH Gore, Chas Early as The Magistrate
Music: Emily Yau, Tom Currie, Dylan Kerry, Jay Auborn, Lulu Thompson (Music Co-Director), Joe Hall, Seamus Maguire, Pete Stephens, Montel Brown, John Matthias (Arranger), Jonny Bruce, Declan Daly.
Audio production: Isaac Eadon, Jasmine Eagles, Fisher Reed, Acacia Martin, Benjamin Kashani, Hazel Daisy.
Sound Design: Samson Timmer, Charlotte Francis, Mark Muszynski
Research: Dr Rose Wallis (University of the West of England), Eleanor Acornley, Scarlett Elliott, Florence Faulkner, Ellie Purdy, Libby Sharp.
