In a bold fusion of heritage and high technology, the National Portrait Gallery has unveiled its first-ever immersive art experience, Stories – Brought to Life, now captivating audiences at MediaCity in Greater Manchester. This groundbreaking experience, created by Frameless Creative — the minds behind some of the UK’s most ambitious digital installations — marks a turning point in how we experience national collections. Not just seen, but felt.
Occupying a purpose-built 10,000 sq ft digital gallery, Stories – Brought to Life is not simply an experience; it’s a cinematic journey through the lives and legacies of Britain’s most iconic figures. Here, portraits are no longer static — they breathe, speak, and move. Using state-of-the-art projection, surround sound, and narrative storytelling, the show invites you into a three-dimensional reverie of influence, artistry, and emotion.
This evocative new chapter in portraiture brings together a dazzling cast of sitters from across centuries — from Queen Elizabeth I to David Bowie, William Shakespeare to Malala Yousafzai. Visitors can wander through immersive sequences that spotlight everyone from Audrey Hepburn and Amy Winehouse to Nelson Mandela, Ncuti Gatwa, and Emmeline Pankhurst, as their portraits are reimagined with moving visuals, archival footage, music, and animation. Even their voices — real or interpreted — echo through the space, telling stories of rebellion, resilience, brilliance, and beauty.
Among the first to experience this next-generation gallery was Emma Ferrer, artist and granddaughter of Audrey Hepburn — herself one of the show’s featured sitters. “To see my grandmother brought to life in such a vivid, emotional way — surrounded by history’s greatest minds and icons — was something truly special,” she said.
Produced in collaboration with visual effects house Cinesite (whose credits include Harry Potter and Marvel Studios), and curated with guidance from the National Portrait Gallery’s team, the experience masterfully blends visual storytelling with cultural legacy.
As Victoria Siddall, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, shared: “Our Collection is about people — it’s always been for people. These stories are a celebration of humanity, and this experience allows us to connect with audiences in an entirely new, deeply moving way.”
With plans for a national tour on the horizon, Stories – Brought to Life begins its journey in Manchester — a city that knows something about innovation and reinvention. It’s a must-see cultural moment, blurring the lines between art and technology, gallery and stage.
On View Until 31 August
MediaCity, Greater Manchester / Tickets and details: www.npgunframed.com
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