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An elderly man lies on a table in the House of Commons wrapped in a white blanket.
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ETT, Trial and Error Studio and National Theatre in association with the Young Vic present 

Museum Of Austerity

Directed by Sacha Wares
Specialist Advisor John Pring
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Time slots available from 1pm to 9pm Monday - Saturday

The Maria Theatre

“Hi-tech meets humanity in this devastatingly powerful look at the impact of Austerity”

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Stage

Witness the human stories of Austerity Britain in this deeply moving, mixed reality exhibition.

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 experience The Maria Theatre transformed into a striking holographic gallery that explores the stories of the many people failed by the UK’s welfare state.

Combining testimony, original music and holographic imagery, Museum of Austerity is more than an exhibition; it’s a blend of theatre, history and humanity. A place to reflect on the past and confront the future.

This powerful installation brings together the skills of theatre/XR director Sacha Wares with the in-depth knowledge of John Pring, editor of Disability News Service. It was a finalist in the XR History Awards, nominated for Best Digital Innovation at the UK Theatre Awards and won International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) Best Immersive Production

"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

To accompany the Museum of Austerity exhibition, there will be a free workshop on Welfare Justice on Monday 12 January with Imogen Day, China Mills and Tumu Johnson. For more information and to book, click here.

Imogen Day has been campaigning for changes to the welfare system ever since her sister, Philippa Day, died in 2019, due to fatal mistakes within the benefits system.

Supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

  • Age Recommendation

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    18+

  • Multibuy

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    Save when you book for 3 or more of our upcoming shows. Young Vic Soul Mates, Friends or Good Friends save 20% and non-members save 15%. 

    Click here to read the full T&Cs. 

  • Visitor Guide Essential Reading

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    To find out what to expect, including content warnings and access information, please click to see the Museum of Austerity Visitor Guide. Our Museum of Austerity Visitor Guide includes essential information about what to expect, including content warnings. The guide includes suggestions relating to self-care that could help if you find the material challenging. Please bear in mind that the recommended age for this performance is 18+.

Interviewees: Mo Ahmed, Peter Carré, Imogen Day, Nichole Drury, Jill Gant, Helen Marston Hullah, Dave Smith, Gill Thompson, Alison Turner

For full credits, please click here.

Museum of Austerity is wheelchair accessible and has the following available at all performances:
Audio Description
Captions (appearing in the headset)
Optional removal of sensitive content
Pre-recorded BSL video introduction
Sighted guide assistance is available at any performance, if arranged in advance.

For Captioned, Audio Described and BSL interpreted Trailers, click here

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