What you'll do
Come and play 1884, an anticolonial immersive theatre show inspired by the history of the 1884 Berlin Conference. The 1884 Berlin conference was a pivotal and often-overlooked moment in the 19th-century European partition of the African continent.
The show is set in the fictional contemporary residential development of Wilhelm Street, where you'll play the role of new residents who are invited to build homes and shape your futures. Meanwhile, a closed-door meeting is taking place nearby, making decisions with far-reaching consequences for your households.
The show explores ideas around colonialism, power, resistance, displacement and heritage. It was created by theatre-maker Rhianna Ilube and game-makers Coney, and is now produced by Koro.
How you’ll take part
As a group, you’ll engage in a series of games and creative challenges. These are gently interactive, and you’ll always have the option to step back (or out) if you’d rather not participate.
You’ll mostly be interacting with other players, though there will be occasional verbal exchanges with performers. Participation in these moments is optional – no one will be singled out or pressured to do anything they’re uncomfortable with.
While we encourage larger groups to split and sit with people they don’t already know, you're welcome to stay with the group you came with if you prefer.
You’ll be seated for most of the performance, with occasional opportunities to move around, explore the space, or connect with other groups.
There is no physical contact between players or performers.
All performances are relaxed: you’re free to move around as needed.
Post-show discussion
The performances on Wednesday 22 October at 12.30 – 15:30 and Thursday 23 October at 19.00 – 22:00 will include a 30-minute post-show discussion, open to all audience members.
