Review: LUMINESCENCE London (Westminster Cathedral)

Review by Phil McCullough

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Westminster Cathedral in Victoria is home to the latest 360° projection concert to arrive in the capital. The show promises to tell the story of London through sound, light and video mapping. As the history of this Catholic cathedral unfolds around the audience, does the spectacle manage to hold the attention and create a genuine must-see experience for London?

Luminescence is a tried and tested formula that has already attracted more than two million spectators worldwide. The concept originated in France from the tradition of Son et Lumière, using 24 laser projectors, orchestral music and live choral performances to bring historic buildings to life. Variations of the show have already played across Europe and beyond, including South America and the United States. For Westminster Cathedral, a new version has been created featuring Hugh Bonneville narrating a site-specific story that intertwines the history of the cathedral with the story of London itself.

Tim Whitnall's script does a solid job of guiding the audience through some of the key chapters in the cathedral's history. In broad strokes, it covers everything from its construction through the Second World War and into the present day. However, the experience never quite decides whether it wants to tell the story of London or the story of Westminster Cathedral. At times, it feels caught between the two. That said, Hugh Bonneville's narration is excellent throughout. His warm and reassuring voice suits both the material and the setting perfectly.

Visually, the projection design is undeniably impressive. Every dome, archway and pillar has been meticulously mapped, transforming the cathedral into a giant canvas. There are moments that look genuinely spectacular and are guaranteed to have phones raised for photos. One particular highlight comes during the Blitz sequence, where the domes appear to transform into glass as aircraft ominously fly overhead. It is a striking image and one of the show's strongest visual moments. Not every sequence lands with the same impact though. After the cathedral is bombed and part of the space transforms into a garden, the illusion is not quite convincing enough. There are also moments where certain visual motifs are repeated, reducing some of the sense of wonder as the show progresses. Having previously experienced Light of Creation at Vienna's Votivkirche, I felt that the production made more imaginative use of its surroundings. At one point, it transformed the church into an ocean floor complete with sea creatures swimming through the space. By comparison, Luminescence occasionally feels more restrained in its ambition.

The musical element is excellent throughout. A 14-piece orchestra and the soaring voices of the Lux Alterna choir provide a powerful soundtrack that elevates the experience considerably. The standout moment comes during Beethoven's Ode to Joy as the story reaches its climax. Westminster Cathedral remains unfinished, and the projections reveal what the interior might have looked like had the original mosaic designs been fully realised. Combined with the music, it creates a genuinely moving moment and a glimpse of what this extraordinary building could one day become.

There is also something inherently magical about being inside a cathedral after dark. The atmosphere alone makes the evening feel special. However, this style of immersive projection show does suffer slightly from familiarity. Once you have experienced a 360° light and projection spectacle, the novelty inevitably diminishes on subsequent visits to similar productions. That said, Westminster Cathedral remains one of London's lesser known landmarks, and it was fascinating to learn more about its history through the combination of light, sound and storytelling that Luminescence provides.

Overall, Luminescence is worth experiencing if you want to see Westminster Cathedral after hours and from a completely different perspective. What the show does best is celebrate the architecture of the building, highlighting details and viewpoints that many visitors would otherwise miss. Hugh Bonneville's narration neatly ties the experience together and there are several moments of genuine visual and musical wonder. While it may not be the most innovative projection show I have seen, it is still an enjoyable and impressive celebration of a remarkable building.

Luminescence runs until September 26th at Westminster Cathedral. Tickets are available from: https://luminescence.com/london