There are about 17 VR startups in Dubai alone, providing diverse 360 experiences ranging from immersive entertainment to shopping. The digital Van Gogh installation at Infinity des Lumieres and the Transformers VR experience at Dubai mall are among the city’s well-known offerings. Earlier this year, Dubai also hosted a show featuring a holograph of iconic singer Abdul Halim Hafez.

Now, American stand-up comedian Mina Liccione will be performing at the Theatre of Digital Art in the city. She will reenact her solo show Growing Up Ringside in an immersive avatar, depicting life as the daughter of an Italian-American boxing promoter. It’s a sensory experience backed by mixed reality tech – projections and rhythms.

Liccione describes the immersive experience by mentioning how audiences can feel the buzz of New York down to the fragrances of marinara sauce in the atmosphere. The show is transformed into a digital format and adapted for Arab audiences.

Dubai audiences will be able to watch the show today and on June 25 and 26 at Dubai’s Theatre of Digital Art, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, before it gets featured at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for a month.