From Winston Churchill to Amy Winehouse, Charles Darwin to Doctor Who Who Who Who Who Who Who, in the first immersive exhibition, use portraits of a national art collection in the UK.

The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) combines digital versions of its collection with animated graphics and off-picture paintings to tell the stories of 19 celebrities and historical figures.

This is the latest wave of immersive art performances that are increasingly popular, full of large-scale projection visuals.

The show was held in Salford on Friday, followed by a UK tour. But while the original portraits in London's NPG are available for free, the entrance to the story that brings a lifetime exhibition is up to £35.

NPG director Victoria Siddall told the BBC News: "The main drivers of this will collect new audiences outside London.

“But, of course, there is another element that is increasing revenue, which is crucial for museums.

"Obviously, we've been researching new innovations that can help our audiences reach. If that brings us income, that's great."

She added that all national galleries have alleged to participate in special exhibitions.

The gallery predicts the latest fiscal year's operating deficit.

Siddall said that striking paintings and photographs using animated graphics, music and narrative is a "powerful combination."

The exhibition will be held at a pop-up venue in MediaCity in Salford until August, and will then tour five locations, but not yet announced.

The walls of the site were filled with about 40 giant image frame-like boxes on which portraits and animations were projected.

Some selected characters, such as Malala Yousafzai, Churchill and Audrey Hepburn, tell their stories in their own words. The actors tell the story of various parts of others, including William Shakespeare and Emmeline Pankhurst.

This is a hiStrestop guide for historical clips, where everyone's story is told in two to three minutes, and the entire show takes about 45 minutes. It ends with Queen Elizabeth II.

Standard adult tickets range from £22 to £30, an additional £5 for flexible tickets, and some "affordable" tickets for £10.

Joy Coker, editor of Arts Outlet Alt Review, said she thought it was worth it, but the price could rule out some people.

“Now, because of the cost of living, this may not be affordable for everyone,” she said.

“It’s thought-provoking and actually makes you think about each topic again and bring you back to those moments and don’t necessarily look at a portrait on your own.”

In recent years, artists from Vincent Van Gogh to David Hockney have successfully received immersive treatment.

LS Lowry will also be added to the list this weekend when a new, free immersive experience brings his trademark matchstick man to life at the Salford's Lowry Arts Center.

A gallery of walls, floors and ceilings became the canvas for the artist's 1953 painting projection. The crowds watching Bolton Wanderers Football Club flock to the animated, amplifying the various parts of the artwork.

The six-minute experience is told by Bolton comedian and actress Sophie Willan, then visitors can see the real painting in the next gallery.

"People are going to paint before they paint and then looking for elements that are already lifelike, which is another way they can interact with real artwork," explains Lowry CEO Julia Fawcett.

The site purchased the painting for nearly £8 million in 2022 and spent two years working on the immersive version. Fawcett said she does not consider entry fees.

“Our gallery is free and it’s part of our gallery offer,” she said. “For us, it’s about making sure we reach the widest audience.”

“We know that immersive[art]is popular, but we also know that when you have a project that aims to attract more audiences and deepen people’s love and appreciation for artists, it’s counterintuitive to achieve the barrier.”