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Luxmuralis and Historic Royal Palaces have partnered up for a son et lumière show ‘Crown and Coronation’ which is at Canterbury Cathedral this week, from Tuesday 24th – Saturday 28th September. It is the third consecutive year that the creative company has brought one of their shows to the historic venue, this time shining a light on the centuries old tradition of royal coronations and the significance of the Crown Jewels. For those unfamiliar with Luxmuralis, they produce majestic light and sound shows and present them in landmarks and places of significant interest across the UK. Led by lead artists Peter Walker and David Harper, ‘Crown and Coronation’ is ambitious, covering new areas of the Cathedral site that they have not utilised previously and is possibly the most exciting show I have seen of theirs yet.
New locations and an updated walking route
The route for ‘Crown and Coronation’ begins in the Cloisters and visitors are treated to a simplistic lighting sequence which sees the courtyard area illuminated in alternating hues. Reds, pinks, blues and purples flood the space, welcoming spectators into Luxmuralis’ creative world. The lighting effects are supported by some atmospheric music, which set the tone for the immersive experience.
Also new for this year is the decision to display projections inside the Chapter House. This is the first opportunity to marvel at some of the procession-themed imagery and coronation-inspired typography ahead of the longer sequences in the Quire and Nave.
Royal themes and imagery
The regal imagery covers over 1000 years of history, showcasing projections of past monarchs up to the recent coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. From the use of roses to depict the Tudor era to the gold and ornate tones that run through the moving sequences, the entire display has been curated to provide a unique insight into the process of crowning a sovereign.
Symbolism runs through the artwork and the projections work in harmony with both royal anthems and the recital of significant scriptures that are utilised in the coronation ceremony. The final section in the Nave is the most captivating, highlighting Kings and Queens throughout the years. In addition to this, on either side of the Quire there is plenty of opportunity to experience a close up look at the Crown Jewels which were used in a coronation for the first time in 70 years in 2023. I actually saw the real ones at the Tower of London last week and Luxmuralis have done a great job in capturing the opulence of the items.
Booking tickets to see ‘Crown and Coronation’ at Canterbury Cathedral
The significance of the building and its links to Kings and Queens of the past makes this digital art show have even greater impact. There are just two days left to experience ‘Crown and Coronation’ in Canterbury, with entry time slots every 15 minutes and last minute availability via the Cathedral’s website. Contrary to what I have said about Luxmuralis’ work previously, their projections and soundscapes are just as mesmerising in the early evening. In my opinion you want to make the most of the sunset and changing levels of light, opting for as early an entry time as possible. Time slots start from 18:30 and I found that visiting at 19:00 provided the best of both worlds. The continuous lighting of the cloisters at dusk and immersing yourself in the moving projections in the dark provides two totally contrasting but dynamic perspectives. After this week, Luxmuralis will continue to take the show on the road to other historic locations across the UK. Check out their touring schedule for the landmarks the company will be visiting.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘Crown and Coronation’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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