The Audience Are In Charge
We hosted acclaimed touring company Kaleider and their brilliant show, The Money, in the Living Lab Building at ARU Peterborough on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October 2024.
The audience booked places as Silent Witnesses or Players and took part in this fun mix of immersive theatre and live game.
WHAT IS THE MONEY?
“A group of complete strangers has 60 minutes to agree how to spend a pot of real cash. If the players run out of time, then the money rolls over to the next show. If they agree, then they get to take the money away and spend it.
But, the watching audience can buy their way in at any moment, right up until the last second, and that can change everything…”
The Money is a cross between a game and a theatrical experience.
When buying their tickets for the event, ,members of the audience would choose to be “Silent Witnesses” or “Players”.
“Players” had 60 minutes to reach a unanimous decision about how to spend a real pot of cash. They didn’t need a proposal to pitch, but they all got to have input about how the money is spent. If they agreed, they got to spend it. If not, the pot of money would roll over to the next show.
“Silent Witnesses” watched the discussion, but could add a minimum of £10 to the pot to join the action as a new “Player”, where they would directly influence the decision-making.
“Watching or playing, it’s like being inside the live drama of The Traitors.”
Hear from Previous Audience Members about their experiences...
THE MONEY AT UCP PETERBOROUGH
Kristine Vaivode
The Money took place in the Living Lab at UCP Peterborough.
Many interested people from across Peterborough took their places at the table as Players on the Friday and Saturday showings. No unanimous decision was made on the Friday, so the pot of money rolled over to Saturday, where it was added to the money paid for Player tickets on that day.
The sessions were action-packed and unpredictable, with Silent Witnesses buying-in as Players on both evenings. Ideas were put forward, interrogated, rejected and brought back as the hour-long sessions progressed. No one knew what the end result would be!
As the deadline loomed on Saturday 26 October, that afternoon’s Players (after some back-and-forth) arrived at a unanimous decision to give the money to Kristine Vaivode, where it would be used for equipment for Hartwell Court Retirement Housing.
The pot totaled £340 when the decision was made.
How Has the Money Been Used?
Kristine purchased three pieces of equipment using the money:
A blender
A juicer
A pressure cooker
(Also a 2-year warranty for them, with £25 left to contribute to the fruit and veg needed for them.)
These pieces of equipment will be used to provide residents of Hartwell Court Retirement Housing with simple and healthy cooking classes.
BOOKING TICKETS
tHE mONEY iN aCTION
There were two ticket types to choose from for The Money:
A Silent Witness ticket (£12*) to watch the action… or, during the show, add a minimum of *£10 (no maximum) to the pot and become a Player at any point.
Or
A Player ticket (£10*), 15 max per show, to take part in the action from the beginning. As a group, they needed to come to a unanimous decision about how to spend a pot of real cash.
There was a discount for under-25-year-olds.
Paying Forward: Our Minimum Ticket Prices are kept low to ensure that events remain accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
Also: Anyone purchasing a ticket to The Money was invited to join us for a free workshop exploring the Power of Oracy. More information HERE.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much money is in the Players’ Pot?
All the income from Players tickets makes up the cash pot being played for.
Will latecomers be admitted?
Unfortunately because of the nature of the production, no latecomers are permitted.
Is there an age restriction?
Audience members under 16 must be accompanied in the space by a responsible adult. Young people under 14 are encouraged to be Silent Witnesses and not to take part as Players.
What time should I arrive?
The venue will open to the public 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance to allow time for venue staff to verify tickets.
Can I (or a friend) buy a ticket at the door?
Tickets for The Money will be available for purchase at the door before the start of each event subject to availability. Cash and card payments will be accepted.
How long is the show?
The event will finish approximately 90 minutes after the doors have opened.
Are there are workshops for young people?
Yes - more information about a workshop offer for group bookings can be downloaded HERE.
Can you help me with access support?
The venue is wheelchair accessible and has a Changing Places Toilet. The venue has a hearing loop. BSL interpretation is confirmed on Saturday 26 October. A chill out space is provided. A Visual Story for accessing and navigating the Living Lab at ARU Peterborough is available here.
ABOUT KALEIDER:
Kaleider is a UK-based arts organisation, they combine installation, live performance, and digital in theirartworks, almost always in collaboration.
They created The Money in 2013, and have since toured the show to 5 continents into some of the world’s most prestigious venues including Sydney Opera House, UK Houses of Parliament, Lagos City Hall, Lisbon City Hall, Melbourne’s Victoria Parliament, City of London’s Guildhall, London’s County Hall, Tianjin’s Grand Theatre and many more.