Liverpool Van Gogh experience sells out on opening weekend

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has enjoyed a sell-out opening weekend with 9,000 visitors flocking to the new Liverpool waterfront attraction.

The atmospheric multimedia experience – receiving its UK premiere in the city – brings the Dutch master’s works to life in spectacular and colourful style.

It runs at Exhibition Centre Liverpool until Wednesday 24 July.

30,000 tickets have already been sold for the four-week run, while the Saturday morning yoga sessions – where participants taking part while surrounded by Van Gogh’s visionary masterpieces – have proved so popular that extra dates have now been added on Sunday 14 July and Sunday 21 July.

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience was officially opened on Wednesday night by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Richard Kemp during a special launch event at the waterfront venue attended by more than 200 invited guests including actors Ricky Tomlinson and Andrew Lancel; lead singer of OMD, Andy McCluskey; and film and drama producer, Colin McKeown.

Produced by Annerin Productions and Paquin Entertainment Group, the experience covers an epic 40,000sq ft and is packed with colour and detail to excite visitors of all ages.

It blends more than 300 of the post-Impressionist icon’s paintings with cutting-edge technology and a specially curated musical soundtrack to tell the story of one of history’s most influential artists.

Visitors are invited to wander through iconic works as they come alive, including The Starry Night, Sunflowers and Terrace of a Café at Night, and be enveloped by a selection of his revealing self-portraits.

They are taken on a journey through the artist’s world from darkness to light, enhanced by his own dreams, thoughts and words set to a stirring symphonic score in this sensational narrative experience which appeals to a new generation of art enthusiasts and Van Gogh fans alike.

Beginning in the Introduction Hall, visitors connect with Vincent van Gogh through personal letters he wrote to his brother, and greatest supporter, Theo. Visitors then move into the heart of the exhibition – the Immersive Room – where Van Gogh’s paintings are freed from their frames to dominate the space and fully immerse the audience in the incredible detail of his work, awakening their imagination in a playful and dreamlike way as they are enveloped in colourful flowers, cafés and stunning landscapes, shifting and swirling across the projection-swathed walls and floor.

A full range of immersive experience merchandise is available in the Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience store on site.

Yoga sessions take place at 9am on Saturdays July 6, July 13 and July 20 with additional sessions on Sunday July 14 and July 21.

Meanwhile VIP Experience tickets include selected Beyond Van Gogh merchandise along with flexible arrival times and fast track entry.

Beyond Van Gogh has already been seen by more than five million people across the United States, Canada and South America, and following Liverpool it opens at Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus on 11 July and at the Birmingham NEC on 1 August.

Anna Parry, UK Business Development at Annerin Productions, said today: “Annerin Productions are overwhelmed by the outpouring of attendees and support throughout the opening weekend.

“We knew that Liverpool was a city of culture and that was truly seen at the Exhibition Centre this weekend. We can’t wait to welcome thousands more over the coming weeks. We couldn’t have asked for a better city to host the Beyond Van Gogh premiere.”

Tickets can be booked here.