4 Dec 2025 - 31 Jan 2026
Museum of Austerity
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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
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Creatives
Director & Co-Editor - Sacha Wares
Specialist Advisor & Co-Editor - John Pring
Composer - Adrian Lee
Costume & Physical Installation Designer - Miriam Buether
Sound Designer - Gareth Fry
Movement Director and Technical Staging - Leon Baugh
Mixed Reality Installation - All Seeing Eye In Headset Hologram Lighting Designer - Prema Mehta
Installation Lighting Designer - Rob Pell-Walpole
Associate Physical Installation Designer - Luke Smith
Assistant Director - Hana Pascal Keegan
Casting Director - Amy Ball
Costume Supervisors - Shannon Martin, Kinnetia Isidore
Stage Managers (R&D and shoot) - Shannon Martin, Shane Thom, Alice Wood
Interviewees:
Mo Ahmed
Peter Carré
Imogen Day
Nichole Drury
Jill Gant
Helen Marston Hullah
Dave Smith
Gill Thompson
Alison Turner
Cast
Shango Baku
Jenny Bolt
S.J. O’Kane
Gerard McDermott
Katie Matsell
Lindy Pieri
Elliot Pritchard
Naima Swaleh
Tim Jones
Jenni Roditi
Robert Stuhldreer