We've been queuing in the dark and as we file into Durham Cathedral, we see the famous carved stone pillars before us already taking on changing colours as they begin to transform and the vaulted ceiling follows suit in a 'son et lumiere' - sound and light - show which is already in full flow.
This is Life, a touring immersive after-dark experience from a team of artists called Luxmuralis, which is running inside Durham Cathedral throughout each evening until Sunday. A series of dazzling projections, accompanied by music, it is showing the interior of the city landmark in literally a new light - and the result is stunning.
Entry is by pre-booked time slots and while the queue stretching in front of us along one length of Palace Green had looked off-putting when we arrived for Wednesday's opening night, it proved well-managed and was kept moving so that we found ourselves stepping inside the cathedral literally only a couple of minutes after our appointed time.
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This is Life's first North East visit and the cathedral has billed the visiting installation as being unlike anything it has hosted before. And that includes Lumiere.
Many people will recall artist Ross Ashton's Crown of Light show projected onto its exterior walls at previous Lumiere festivals. This is different, with the cathedral 's interior this time the focus of attention.
The Luxmuralis artists have turned the vast, already-atmospheric space into a swirling and whirling mass of images, colour and movement with viewers right at the centre. It has an intimate feel as we follow a trail around the cathedral and we were constantly turning this way and that to catch the dramatic sights on all sides, as the ancient stone around us displays projections which combine to create a journey through earth, sea and sky.
At its heart are scenes of the natural world and the idea is to invite the 'audience' to pause and reflect. Despite the number of people inside, there is opportunity to do just that; to find a space - and take pictures and video - within the crowd which spills out into the main nave area to watch the scrolling illuminations where they seem to reach a crescendo, complemented by dramatic sound and music.
Luxmuralis artist Peter Walker has said he is keen for people to see the cathedral as it has never been seen before and certainly those who watched Life there on Wednesday night were delighted by what was revealed, with vibrant greens and neon pinks picking out tiny details of stone carvings above our heads; light and shadow showing the Rose Window anew and a carousel of colour spotlighting the beauty of the Galilee Chapel.
Elsewhere we spot fish and other sea creatures; a parading cat, boats and flowers in swiftly-changing scenes which switch from images into kaleidoscope patterns that dazzle and surprise; the lights conducted like in an orchestra.
It's all spectacular stuff and as we ended our journey through the building - with others just arriving to begin theirs - we were sorry to leave this magical world behind. Stepping back outside, the October night seemed that much blacker.
If you have a chance to book a time slot for Life - options are between 6.45pm and 9pm - then do. You'll be in for a treat.
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