Museum of Austerity
Hi-tech meets humanity in this devastatingly powerful look at the impact of Austerity
Witness the human stories of Austerity Britain in this arresting mixed reality installation.
In 2016, the UN found that “grave and systemic violations” of the rights of disabled people were taking place throughout the UK. Wearing a mixed reality headset, you will enter a striking, holographic gallery that lays bare the consequences when state safety nets fail.
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 reimagine the future.
It was nominated for Best Digital Innovation at the UK Theatre Awards, previewed at the London Film Festival in 2021 and won International Documentary Festival Amsterdam’s (IDFA) Best Immersive Production in 2021.
Co-produced by English Touring Theatre, the National Theatre Immersive Storytelling Studio and Trial & Error Studio, this powerful installation combines the skills of theatre/XR director Sacha Wares with the in-depth knowledge of John Pring, editor of Disability News Service.
ACCESS
The VR headsets used in the Museum of Austerity installation have the option to enable Captioning as well as Audio Description.
On entering the space, one of the hosts will give you an introduction. This introduction is also available in BSL which can be watched on an iPad. Please note that the installation does not have a BSL interpreter throughout.
For more information, take a look at the ETT Visitor Guide.
Museum of Austerity contains material that some people may find distressing or challenging to engage with. For further information on the content guidance please email us at tickets@bristololdvic.org.uk.
*Discount applies to ‘Standard’, ‘Standard with Babe In Arms’ and ‘18 and Under’ ticket types only (not ‘Open Concession’ or ‘Pay It Forward’
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
