A royal progress reimagined in VR
Not–for–profit organisation Curious Spark approached us to help bring history to life through immersive technology. Together, we created POP 1578 – a series of VR films that reimagined Queen Elizabeth I’s royal progress from London to Norfolk. Designed for schools, heritage centres and families, the experience used 360° video to dramatise history and spark curiosity in new generations.
The challenge
Curious Spark’s mission is to inspire curiosity about heritage and culture. For this project, they wanted to recreate part of Elizabeth I’s 1578 royal progress in a way that would feel both authentic and accessible. The challenge was to design an experience that was educational yet engaging, accurate yet interactive – suitable for use in classrooms, visitor centres and public spaces. It needed to immerse audiences in Tudor England while supporting group participation and learning, offering both standalone storytelling and activities that encouraged deeper exploration of the historical narrative.
The process
We worked with Curious Spark to produce ten VR films set in Tudor–inspired locations including The Great Hospital and Strangers’ Hall. Actors, costumes and props helped dramatise council meetings and encounters with Elizabeth I, captured in 360° film during a 3-day shoot. Back in the studio, our team stitched and refined the footage before adding interactive hotspots, which users could trigger in–headset through gaze control. Curious Spark developed activity packs to accompany the films, turning the experience into an educational game. We also built a companion tablet app so groups could follow the VR action together in real time.
The outcome
The POP 1578 experience has been a success with schools and heritage organisations across East Anglia. Students and families have praised its ability to make history tangible and interactive, while teachers valued its blend of learning and play. The companion app encouraged collaboration, ensuring VR wasn’t isolating but instead fostered shared discovery. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with Curious Spark planning to expand the project further across the UK. By blending 360° film, interactivity and storytelling, we demonstrated how immersive technology can make the past vivid, memorable and relevant for modern audiences.
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