Witness the human stories of Austerity Britain in this arresting mixed reality installation
'It is impossible to look away from the shimmering figures that emerge in what appears at first to be an empty room. And that is the point.' - The Guardian
Following its successful run at HOME Manchester last November, ETT (English Touring Theatre) has announced further dates for the UK tour of Museum of Austerity. The mixed reality installation - a co-production with National Theatre Immersive Storytelling Studio, and Trial & Error Studio – will open the spring 2024 tour at Live Theatre, Newcastle April before touring to No 1 Smithery Studio, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham and culminating with a run at Bristol Old Vic.
Winner of Best Immersive Production at International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, Museum of Austerity combines the skills of director Sacha Wares with the in-depth knowledge of Disability News Service editor John Pring to tell the human stories of Austerity Britain.
In 2016, the UN found that “grave or systemic violations” of the rights of disabled people were taking place throughout the UK. Wearing a mixed reality headset, you will enter a striking, holographic gallery that lays bare the consequences when state safety nets fail.
Museum of Austerity is more than an exhibition; it’s a blend of theatre, history and humanity.
It was nominated for Best Digital Innovation at the UK Theatre Awards, previewed at the London Film Festival in 2021 and won International Documentary Festival Amsterdam’s (IDFA) Best Immersive Production in 2021.
Running alongside the production on tour, there will be a programme of exhibitions and workshops led by Healing Justice LDN and local partnering organisations. The first workshop Rage, grief and justice: Disabled people’s resistance to austerity will run at Live Theatre, Newcastle on 19 April.
MUSEUM OF AUSTERITY: 17 April – 15 June
- Live Theatre, Newcastle: 17-21 April Homepage | Live Theatre
- No 1 Smithery Studio, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham: 16-18 May No.1 Smithery
- Bristol Old Vic: 12-15 June Bristol Old Vic Theatre