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Review: Space by Luxmuralis (St Martin-in-the-Fields)

Review by Rosie Holmes

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Following its sold-out success in 2023, Luxmuralis return to one of London’s most iconic landmarks with Space, a large-scale sound and light experience housed within the beautiful St Martin-in-the-Fields. With the church currently celebrating its 300th anniversary, though worship on the site dates back centuries earlier, the setting alone promises something special. Pair that with Luxmuralis’ reputation as world leaders in immersive projection, and its fair to say my expectations were understandably high.


 

Luxmuralis have spent over a decade touring their art, light and sound installations, transforming historic and religious spaces into canvases of colour and sound. Their CV includes some of the UK’s most revered buildings, from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey. Space aims to take audiences on a journey beyond Earth, watching galaxies emerge while exploring humanity’s ambition to venture into the great unknown. While I’m not convinced the narrative fully lands, what does succeed is an experience that is undeniably impressive and very beautiful.

 

The journey begins before you even step inside. Visitors are greeted by projections dancing across the exterior of St Martin-in-the-Fields, providing a striking backdrop for the queue. And yes, there is a queue. Even with timed entry, it stretched impressively far on opening night, though this was perhaps aided by the novelty of it being the first dry day London had seen in what felt like 400 years, and the fact it was the event’s first night.

 

Entry is via the church crypt, and honestly, this alone is worth the visit. Atmospheric, cavernous, and rich with history, it’s a joy to wander through, taking in ancient markings and artefacts. It’s here that the theme of Space is introduced, with typography reminiscent of Star Wars scrolling across the stone walls. We’re gently guided through key moments in humanity’s relationship with space, including references to the moon landing and the immortal words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Projections of the Earth, lunar imagery and a stirring soundtrack accompany you as you move through the space, building anticipation for what’s to come.

 

Ascending into the main church space feels like entering another world entirely. This is where Space truly comes alive. Over a 15-minute finale, the church is transformed into a riot of colour, light pouring over columns and ceilings as music swells around you. The score, composed by David Harper, is rich and emotive, elevating the visuals into something that feels almost spiritual. The experience is dazzling, enveloping and, yes, immersive, a word that may be overused in London’s cultural scene, but one that genuinely applies here.


 

That said, while the spectacle is undeniable, the promised narrative journey through space is definitely abstract. I didn’t leave feeling I’d learnt anything new about the galaxy. Instead, Space functions more as a sensory experience than an educational one, and perhaps that’s no bad thing. In the heart of central London, surrounded by traffic and tourists, there was something profoundly calming about sitting beneath a glowing ceiling, momentarily detached from the world outside. One particularly lovely observation was the audience itself. Despite the abundance of Instagram-worthy visuals, most people weren’t glued to their phones. Instead, they simply sat, watched, and absorbed the moment together. It felt quietly unifying, a shared experience rather than a performative one.

 

If anything, the only disappointment was how quickly it ended. Just as I settled into the rhythm of it all, it was time to leave, and I found myself wanting more. Still, with tickets starting from just £8, Space offers excellent value. Expect to spend around 30–45 minutes inside (longer if you factor in queueing), making it an ideal half-term activity, peaceful evening escape or a date night! Space may not quite deliver on every narrative promise, but as a visual and emotional experience, it soars, a reminder of both humanity’s curiosity and the quiet power of art to transport us elsewhere, even if only for a little while.

 

Space at St Martin-in-the-Fields runs from 17th – 21st February. Tickets from £8.

 

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