The Trials of Democracy: Who Gives a XXXX?
Menagerie Theatre’s 2024/25 Public Art Project
The Trials of Democracy is Menagerie’s Public Art project for 2024-25. It is a unique collaboration between our own Patrick Morris and visual artist Hilary Cox Condron. This project is also being supported by Cambridge City Council.
We’ll be having regular events throughout 2025!
To keep up to date with all future events and opportunities from this project, sign up to our mailing list and follow our socials at the links below…
What will happen as part of this project?
We will be running a range of open-access workshops all around Cambridge, inviting people to explore their own relationship to DEMOCRACY – the political system under which we live. These sessions will be led by Menagerie’s Patrick Morris and visual artist Hilary Cox Condron.
What is it all going towards?
The culmination will be a weekend of performances, art exhibits, and installations which articulate the diverse experiences of our system of government in October 2025. Using the old Cambridge Guildhall courthouse, we will put DEMOCRACY itself under the spotlight.
How can I get involved?
We’ll have events popping up all over the city! Follow us on socials and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear about how you can get involved in 2025.
Past Events:
May 17th at Mill Road Community Centre
Trials of Democracy at The Co-Op AGM. Directly inspired by our project, Co-Op have chosen 'Democracy' as their theme for the Cambridge AGM event. Patrick & Hilary will be leading a workshop, chalking the streets and provoking creative conversations among participants.
The AGM is open to all, whether or not you're a member.
May 10th at The Cambridge Room
Trials of Democracy Workshop day with Anthony Carpen. A day of workshops, activities, and discussions. Make your own democracy badges, have your voice heard in our Democracy Open House, make your own hand-map, and more!
April 5th at Cambridge Guildhall
Trials of Democracy at Cambridge Festival. This is a free drop in event in the Exhibition Room at Cambridge Guildhall. Watch a sneak preview of a new play, take part in democracy activites, and find out more about our project. You can come for 10 minutes or stay for the whole thing!
March 20th at St Paul’s Church
A Day in the Life of a Local Councillor. Just what does a local councillor do? If you want to find out, come and meet some. As part of ‘The Trials of Democracy’, this event will demystify the role of the Councillor. Straightforward answers to honest questions from you! This event is free and open to all ages. Refreshments provided.
February 27th at Cambridge Central Library (Level 3)
The Co-Op Marketplace. Come and chat to us about all things democracy! Aunty will be listening to your democracy woes, Pink will be divulging democracy knowledge, while Patrick and Hilary will be hosting a talk around 1pm.
January 25th outside Cambridge Guildhall
Democracy’s Only Agony Aunts. Are you having relationship problems with democracy…. Has complacency crept in? Are there trust issues? Maybe you’re feeling a little frustrated that it’s always about ‘first past the post’….?
November 16th at Lichfield Community Hall
Being Counted. Who's in? Who's out? And is it all a numbers game? A creative workshop exploring what Democracy means to us, with Hilary Cox Condron and Patrick Morris.
November 23rd at Cambridge Central Library Conference Room
Information/Education/Agitation. What do we want!? When do we want it!? How are we going to get it? A creative workshop exploring how education and information impact our Democracy, with Hilary Cox Condron and Patrick Morris.November 30th at
November 30th at Mill Road Community Centre
A Blind Date with Democracy. Where will you go? What will you wear? Will you kiss and tell? A writing and theatre workshop exploring our relationship to Democracy, with Patrick Morris.
In the meantime, some FACTS and QUESTIONS:
In the recent General Election, turnout was just 52% of eligible adults, the lowest since
Universal suffrage was introduced in 1928.
Labour received 9,712,011 votes and won 421 seats
Conservatives received 6,814,469 votes and won 122 seats
Reform received 4,091,549 votes and won 5 seats
Lib Dems received 3,499,933 votes and won 72 seats
Greens received 1,939,502 votes and won 4 seats
Did any of these votes belong to you? Did you wish they belonged to you?
1) What makes you feel a sense of belonging and investment in your locality?
2) What drives you to participate in, or to withdraw from, the democratic process?
3) Do you vote? If so why? If not, why not?
4) What ways do you participate in this democracy? (Eg. Neighbourhood group, Citizens’ Assemblies, trade union, protest movement, community work)
5) Where do you see faultlines in our democracy?
6) How does the growth of Cambridge affect you?
7) What would you prefer to democracy?
8) The ghost of John Pink is said to haunt the Guildhall in Cambridge – why would he want to do that?
9) There was a man called Benjamin, who owned the land on which the Guildhall was
ultimately built, before he was turfed off that spot in 1224. What happened there?
10) Where did it all begin? (Don’t say Athens).
11)Where will it all end? (Don’t say with Donald Trump).
OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
Funding also provided by: The Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust