Darkfield brings immersive audio theatre to Queensbridge Square in Southbank, running Invisible and Flight from 14 January to 2 February.
Here’s the concept: step inside a Southbank shipping container, sit in complete darkness, and let 360-degree binaural sound construct entire worlds around you. UK creators Glen Neath and David Rosenberg developed the format, which strips away all visual input and relies entirely on audio to mess with your sense of space and reality.
Two experiences run at the Southbank location. Invisible runs 17 minutes and explores what you’d do if you could actually disappear; whether you’d behave responsibly or lean into chaos when nobody’s watching. Flight takes 22 minutes to play with quantum mechanics’ many worlds theory, suggesting every possible version of your choices exists simultaneously across infinite realities.
Darkfield – Southbank
- Where: Queensbridge Square, Southbank
- When: 14 January to 2 February
- Shows: Invisible (17 mins), Flight (22 mins)
- Ages: 13+, under 15s need adult supervision
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Both shows have been running at Arts Centre Melbourne and are now relocating to Queensbridge Square due to demand.
Shipping containers work surprisingly well as theatre spaces once you remove all light. Binaural audio places sound in three-dimensional space, making your brain perceive direction and distance without visual confirmation. Sensory effects add layers, though content warnings exist for anyone wanting specifics before buying tickets.
Bundles make more sense than single tickets if you’re bringing friends. Double Double Date gives four tickets for $85, Darkfield Max Pack offers four for $160, and Darkfield Obsession delivers 16 tickets for $300. Weekday Solo locks in one weekday session of each show for $40, though you can’t swap that combo for alternatives.
Southbank setup means outdoor queuing near the promenade and casino precinct. Trams along St Kilda Road get you close, though factor in January weather when timing your arrival. Containers don’t offer much protection from heat or rain while you’re waiting outside.
Darkfield’s format has toured through major festivals including Venice, IDFA, London Film Festival, Tribeca and SXSW. Current schedule spans UK, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Canada, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Mexico – shipping containers pack down and move between cities relatively easily.
Content warnings exist but aren’t detailed in advance. Anyone concerned about darkness, enclosed spaces, or specific triggers should check the website before committing.
For more information, head here.
