A CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY

WE ARE THE CITIZENS! THIS IS OUR ASSEMBLY!

Climate emergency is an subject that overwhelms many of us, making us feel helpless, but the brilliance of A CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY is the way it structures discussion around the subject by asking questions of how we can act and cleverly casting the audience as actors in the unfolding story.

- Lyn Gardner, The Stage

A collaboration with applied arts practitioner Lynsey O'Sullivan, A CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY is the latest and most ambitious work in the PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE project.

The play tells a story of some people in a room who have met to discuss the climate emergency. The assembled audience play the people in the play. The set is the room they are in.

Developed through conversations with individuals and organisations, including climate scientists at The Tyndall Centre for climate change research at The University of Manchester, and with the support of the SALC social responsibility fund and The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, A CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY uses the form of the PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE project to explore and consider this important but sometimes overwhelming issue through a collective act of play.

Through three acts opinions and positions are offered. Conversations and arguments around the themes and ideas take place. In the third act a discussion happens concerning what might happen next.

Here is a short video of me talking about the work...

WE ARE THE ACTORS IN THIS STORY.

It was brilliant to see how engaged young people and community members were in the dialogue around climate change. The format of the play really helps people to feel safe and brave enough to share their thoughts and it encourages people to listen and respect each other's perspectives. The different characters views and the fact that the audience are playing within the play creates a safety net, whilst being engaging, thought provoking and amusing.

- Jennifer Riding, Director of Learning & Engagement, The Lowry

Since January 2024 we've been touring the work to Studio Theatres, Festivals, Classrooms and Community Halls. From Spring 2025 we are planning to tour the work more broadly across the UK. We want to work with venues who can host a performance of the work, but also collaborate with them to organise and set up their own performances of the play in locations and communities connected to their work. We want to reach as broad an audience as we possibly can. We are currently developing a version of the play for year 6 classrooms and would love to talk to interested parties about this too.

A CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY is designed to be able to take place in any room where people can gather and talk to each other. It is suitable for ages 12+. The ideal audience anything between 30 and 150 people.

If you are interested in hearing more about the work, booking a performance and collaborating with us please get in touch.

Increasingly, we are very keen to ensure that there are opportunities for our audiences and communities to engage directly with artists and cultural projects - not just as a spectator. A Citizen's Assembly provides a unique moment for people to have fun and explore issues that are important to them in a safe, inclusive environment. Audiences at The Lowry absolutely loved being part of it.

- Matthew Eames, Head of Theatres (Contemporary and Commissioning), The Lowry

A YouTube video of feedback from previous performances can be found here

UPCOMING PUBLIC PERFORMANCES

2025

SAVE THE DATE

17th of June: a special event around the PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE project taking place at Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot.

More information to follow soon.