Stratford East are thrilled to invite audiences to a 360° immersive virtual reality experience, set in a dystopian society where happiness has been traded for a world without pain. Combining live-action theatre and animation, PETRICHOR explores the hopes and fears of our current and future existence.

You can enjoy PETRICHOR in person at Stratford East in their socially-distanced space or online from the comfort of your own home.

You'll be able to watch the online experience of PETRICHOR at any time from Mon 07 Dec at 9am until Sun 13 Dec at 11.55pm. You can use your own VR headset or if you choose not to use a VR headset, the experience will still be interactive. You’ll be able to move the screen of your smart device or computer around, giving you a full 360-degree experience.

A MATCHBOX production by ThickSkin

Created by Jonnie Riordan, Jess Williams & Ben Walden

Welcome to Petrichor. Thousands applied and you have been selected. This is a new beginning, a clean slate, a second chance. You are an important part of this machine. And that’s all you need to think about.

Step into a new world. A world where every single day is exactly the same. Petrichor is a dystopian reality, where every moment is muted, managed and monochrome. Nothing bad ever happens. Nothing good does either. Excitement and happiness have been traded for a world without pain and suffering.

A chance meeting brings two unlikely individuals together and offers a small glimpse of what life could be. Their newfound connection sends ripples through this ordered world. They begin to question every decision, every step and every thought they’ve ever had. Could there be something more than this?

PETRICHOR is a MATCHBOX production for ThickSkin. Supported by Arts Council England, Backstage Trust, November Productions, Oculus from Facebook and Waterside Arts & Creative Industries Trafford. Developed with support from Lawrence Batley Theatre, Tron Theatre and Glasgow Life.