1884, an anti colonial game-theatre show at the Wellcome Collection

Without any previous research, I chose to enter this piece blind in which I am immensely glad I did. Created by Rhianna Llube, we wait patiently at the doors. We are told this is as immersive as you chose it to be, you can simply observe or be as active as you desire. Once inside you have a choice of 5 tables to sit at, you are encouraged to start as strangers and so as a solo traveller that is what I did.

In front of you, you have a home, a letter holder, and a few counters with pieces of furniture on them. The actors begin their welcoming speeches, inviting us to a new society in which we are all separate families building their homes. The set and costume is beautifully designed, almost 50’s American style with pale blues, pinks and browns to express solidarity and neutrality. We begin the process of making a home, finding connection between the strangers on the table and after a few tasks we have a strong bond and protectiveness over the small world we have made.

Once we are settled, the rules begin to change. Overhead speakers announce that ‘The Meeting’ will not need the residents opinions and to not comply would result in punishment. Suddenly everything we have built begins to change, our personalised knock, our home name and how we arranged our furniture. We had many rebellions in our crowd which spurred more and more protest within the room. Suddenly the notice board is filled with movements of resistance, secrets were spilled to other households about what they’re going to take next until we finally hear from our MP who slides past any question we have. The energy in the room was fiery and connected and what started as a room of strangers now quickly fumbled into a close knit community fighting for what we built in 5 minutes and then comes the interval.

We are advised from the cast not to spoil the ending which so cleverly brings together what we experienced in the first act to a very interesting and moving realisation. I will respect these wishes so what I can say is… I would very much like for people to experience this wholly to feel that loss of the small world we created, the connection we make its people in the room because this is a super power we have as humans and when we fail is when we stop relating to people based on an idea that ‘they aren’t like us’ or ‘it was too long ago that we wouldn’t get it anyway’.

My only criticism to this very incredible piece of work is that I wish it could be longer! The first act is so thrilling however, we went in knowing there was a sense of doom approaching. It is very hard to feel safe in which a home would feel, this made our route to rebellion much quicker than it would in real life I would say. I would have loved for the rule changes to be more subtle to begin with, to really believe they have our best interests at heart and then by the time the rug has been pulled we are on the floor without realising it. I think this can only come with spending more time in the first act’s set and elongating time in the society before the big reveal.

I think this is such a fantastic way to learn about a history you may not have much knowledge about and be in an environment which really allows you on a base level to connect to a human desire to have belonging and freedom in a place that you personally build. It was truly an unforgettable piece of theatre.

Reviewed by: Alice Rose

Reviewed: 24th October 2025

North West End UK Rating: