The Digital Democracy

The desire to reconfigure the relationship between theatre and audience has been a recurring theme in experimental theatre practice for decades. Catalyzed by a new generation of theatre makers for whom gaming and the associated digital interactivity is the norm, we now see the development of theatre based on the idea of public play and playfulness where adults are encouraged to shed their grown-up characters and to have straightforwardly silly fun.

Digital interactivity has also allowed for a massive rise in the use of public contributions in the making of a piece of theatre. Audiences may determine the events being played out on stage, alter the outcome or direct the performers. This debate explores the impact of digital developments in theatre making, looking at how play, gaming culture, user-generated content and notions of interactivity are providing theatre makers and audiences with ever expanding platforms on which to inform, exchange and experience performance today. Plus considering why at the same time as digital innovations in theatre have been on the rise, a low-tech theatre scene has flourished.

Chaired by Mark Ball, artistic director of LIFT, with speakers including Charlie Tims from Demos and Margaret Robertson, game designer and contributing editor for Wired, LIFT asks whether we are all theatre makers now? Have the gaming generation and the DIY ethos produced democratic theatre?

This is the first of four LIFT Debates that form part of LIFT Club at the ICA. These debates aim to explore our new relationship with theatre in the company of international theatre makers, critics and commentators.