A Theatrical Battle Against Misinformation: Storehouse Opens in London
This summer, a groundbreaking immersive theatrical experience titled "Storehouse" will launch in a vast, repurposed warehouse in Deptford, South London. Part theatrical performance and part social campaign, Storehouse aims to tackle the pervasive global issue of misinformation head-on. The production, spearheaded by Sage & Jester productions and featuring a star-studded cast including Toby Jones and Meera Syal, promises a unique and thought-provoking engagement with the complex dynamics of truth and manipulation in the digital age.
Storehouse unfolds within a fictional repository where humanity’s history has been archived since the advent of the internet in 1983. Visitors are plunged into a dramatic narrative where the forces of truth and order clash with those who wield misinformation for their own gain. The audience navigates this immersive world, guided by the performances of renowned actors, and confronted with the insidious nature of manufactured narratives and the importance of critical thinking. The show, running from June 4th until September 20th, transforms a 9,000 square meter space into a dynamic stage where the battle for truth is waged.
Driving the project is Liana Patarkatsishvili, founder of Sage & Jester productions. Patarkatsishvili’s personal experience with misinformation, stemming from her time at the Imedi television station in Georgia during a government crackdown on independent media, fuels her passion for this project. She witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of manipulated narratives and the suppression of truth, experiences that have deeply shaped her approach to Storehouse. Her aim is not just to expose the deliberate spread of falsehoods, but also to highlight the erosion of trust and the insidious nature of doubt-sowing tactics often employed in the dissemination of misinformation.
The cast of Storehouse boasts an impressive lineup of acting talent. Meera Syal voices Dolly K Guha, one of the imagined radical founders of the movement fighting misinformation. Toby Jones, acclaimed for his portrayal of Alan Bates in the ITV drama about the Post Office scandal, also plays a founding member. He is joined by Kathryn Hunter, renowned for her roles in Netflix’s Black Doves and the film Poor Things, and rising star Billy Howle, known for his performance in the film On Chesil Beach. These actors, along with a cast of live performers, guide visitors through the immersive warehouse environment, creating a compelling and interactive experience.
Complementing the theatrical production is a series of public debates titled "critical conversations," held in collaboration with Intelligence Squared at the Pleasance theatre. These discussions, led by journalist Sophia Smith Galer, aim to equip audiences with the tools to identify and combat misinformation. By exploring real-world examples and dissecting the mechanisms of manipulation, these sessions offer practical strategies for navigating the complex information landscape. The goal is to empower individuals to become more discerning consumers of information and to resist the spread of false narratives.
Patarkatsishvili emphasizes the critical importance of critical thinking in combating misinformation. While traditional debates offer one avenue for developing these skills, she believes that theatre offers a unique and powerful approach. By immersing the audience in a compelling narrative, Storehouse compels them to grapple with complex questions about truth, power, and their own role in shaping and perpetuating narratives. The immersive nature of the production creates an emotional connection with the material, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the issues at stake. This experiential approach, she argues, can be more effective than simply presenting facts. Storehouse goes beyond entertainment; it aims to be a call to action, prompting audiences to reflect on their responsibility in the current information ecosystem and encouraging them to actively engage in the fight against misinformation.