The Chamber – Coventry
The Chamber is coming to Coventry!
Do you want to change your community?
Have you got ideas you want to share?
Do you think things could be done differently?
Come and take a seat in this interactive, touring parliamentary chamber.
Join us on Saturday 12th of May, 2018 at the Central Hall in Coventry for an opportunity to debate and discuss political issues that concern you and your community, and for a chance to meet and interact with others who are passionate about Britain’s political life. The event, which is free of charge, will start at around 11am and will finish at 3pm and will include lunch.
During the course of the workshop, the participants will be invited to debate specific issues relevant to their constituencies and their own lives. They will be challenged and have to manage opposing views, lobbying and the difficulties presented by a parliamentary system. Our aim is to inform participants about the workings of the UK political and civic system, and to encourage them to reflect on their roles as members of British society.
No prior preparation is required, but you must be aged 18+. Participants will include a diverse range of residents in Coventry, Leamington and the surrounding region. Join us for a fun and informal exchange!
Details about The Chamber:
The Chamber is an immersive theatre workshop framed as an interactive game that invites players to take a seat in a fictionalised parliamentary chamber. Players-participants will start the game by reflecting on key social and political problems facing Britain. They will create some issue-based political parties of their own and will create characters and stories that represent their key voters. These characters and stories will be brought to life by actors. Each group of players will devise a Bill or a policy to support and influence their voters. These bills are debated and voted on. The winning party are those with the highest number of votes. Although fictionalised, the workings of The Chamber will be based as much as possible on the real workings of our Parliamentary democracy. This theatre-game experience promotes active citizenship and civic responsibility by placing players in the role of those with political power.
This workshop aims to:
- Give realistic insight into the UK Political system
- Challenge individual perceptions of citizenship
- Develop active citizenship and civic responsibility
- Build confidence to share opinions
- Develop personal responsibility
- Develop decision making skills
- Improve communication skills
- Develop skills to manage conflict effectively
The Chamber has been designed by Face Up Theatre in consultation with Rideout Arts for Rehabilitation and Derby Quad. The workshops are subsidised with funding from Arts Council England and a Creative Exchange collaboration between the University of Warwick and Coventry University. Face Up Theatre make work that engages all audiences in personal, social and environmental change. Our work encourages people to consider and question their own and others experiences, views and behaviour, inviting them to take steps towards making change possible.
Please book a place at the workshop by signing up here. If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch with:Dr. Anastasia Chamberlen, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick a.chamberlen@warwick.ac.uk or Twitter @a_chamberlen
We look forward to meeting you!
Ian Pringle – Artistic Director, Face Up Theatre
Saul Hewish – Director, Rideout Theatre
Dr. Mark Ryan – Law School, Coventry University
Dr. Henrique Carvalho – Law School, University of Warwick
Dr. Anastasia Chamberlen – Department of Sociology, University of Warwick
