“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.”

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

DARKFIELD presents ARCADE: but this isn’t an ordinary arcade and these are not ordinary arcade machines. Every machine offers you the chance to enter the world of the game and choose your own unique journey. As you guide your avatar through a world ravaged by endless war, there are many routes you can take and there are many different outcomes. You can choose a side, win or lose the war, search out a more peaceful route, or join a cult promising a better version of reality. Where will your decisions lead you?

Using the nostalgic 8-bit aesthetic of 1980’s video games, ARCADE’s interactive narrative explores the evolving relationship between players and avatars. This choose-your-own-path experience will fully immerse players in alternate environments in a completely dark shipping container, using 360 degree binaural sound and sensory effects. Players will be asked to address deep existential questions about free will and consciousness in a world where some may win and some may lose…

  • ARTISTIC DIRECTORS: David Rosenberg & Glen Neath
    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Andrea Salazar
    SENIOR CREATIVE PRODUCER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Victoria Eyton
    PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Sara Codrington
    PRODUCTION & PRODUCING CONSULTANT: Stuart Heyes
    ASSISTANT PRODUCER & SCRIPT SUPERVISOR : Linseigh Green
    PRODUCTION MANAGERS: Corey Bennett & Zoe Smith
    PROGRAMMER: Simon Jackson
    ASSOCIATE SOUND DESIGNER: Mike Winship
    GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Alex Purcell

  • Ozzy Algar
    Nigel Barrett
    Chris Brett Bailey
    Samuel Brewer
    Gemma Brockiss
    Rosie Caveliero
    Debbie Chazen
    Safiya Eyton-Adams
    Alistair Findlay
    Wendy Fisher
    Linseigh Green
    Nicki Hobday
    Lloyd Hutchinson
    Lanna Joffrey
    Simon Kane
    Nathan Lang
    Tom Lyall
    Mercy Ojelade
    Liinus Oliver
    James Sobol Kelly
    Prashant Tailor

  • You can find access headlines below, but can find full details in the show access pack here.
    Please also refer to our     general access information page here.

    • AGE RESTRICTIONS:
      16+

    • CONTENT WARNINGS:
      ARCADE takes place in complete darkness. If you are claustrophobic or scared of the dark, this show may not be suitable for you. ARCADE contains themes of: violence to humans, including children, and animals, death, warfare, explicit language, sexual content.

    • STANDING SHOW & WHEELCHAIR / POWERCHAIR ACCESS:
      There are 28 standing places and 2 access spaces in ARCADE for wheelchair users or those who need seating provided.

    • REDUCED MOBILITY:
      Patrons with reduced mobility are welcome to contact us at       access@darkfield.org to let us know how we can assist them.

    • TOUCH TOURS:
      Available on request; please email us at       access@darkfield.org.

    • AUDIO DESCRIPTION:
      ARCADE takes place in complete darkness and is inherently audio descriptive.

    • HEARING IMPAIRMENTS: Unfortunately, as our work is audio based and in the dark, we are limited in our access provision for those with hearing impairments. This means we cannot provide BSL interpretation or captioning. Induction loops are currently unavailable, but we can adjust audio volume, or make the recordings mono for those with partial impairments.

    • SPECIAL EFFECTS & LIGHT SENSITIVITY:
      ARCADE does have sensory triggers including sudden sprays of water, gusts of air, singular light flash with low intensity, single loud gunshot sounds.

TOURING

PROGRAMMING ARCADE

ARCADE has two touring possibilities: the show can be booked as the full 40ft shipping container experience, or we can work with partners to take over spaces inside a venue or site, and scale the show accordingly. The spaces do not have to be traditional theatre studios - we can take over disused rooms in buildings and activate all kinds of non traditional or new spaces.

To book ARCADE for your venue or site, send a message to info@darkfield.org with details of location and dates.

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