Red Pill
In 2014 #gamergate started trending on Twitter. The movement it spawned would lead to the resurgence of white nationalism, the election of Donald Trump and the murder of an anti-fascist activist in Charlottesville as well as multiple other murders and terrorist attacks across Europe and the United States.
Red Pill is the story of how we got here.
Project
Red Pill
What's it all about?
Chris is a nerdy young man with few prospects, perpetually on the edge of being able to afford rent and food thanks to his zero hour contract. He's also in love with his best friend, Cassie. When Cassie doesn't share his feelings Chris falls into a deep depression. At the same time #gamergate begins trending on twitter and quickly becomes a virulent misogynistic movement. It catches on in particular in the sort of nerdy online spaces Chris frequents and in his vulnerable state Chris quickly falls down the alt-right rabbit hole. Red Pill is the cautionary tale of Chris' journey to radicalisation, exploring the development of the alt-right alongside our protagonist's indoctrination into it.
The story so far
Red Pill was developed at the Theatre Deli as part of their FemFest initiative, a showcase of feminist new writing.
Red Pill is a collaboration between Dísa Andersen and Blue Bar Productions.
It is written by Sam Went and directed by Lois Attard.
Red Pill is a project that is close to our heart. Sam has written a fantastic script that really describes the indoctrination process of the alt right. It's an anti facist cautionary tale that weaves in politics, mental health issues and poverty. We started working on this play before lockdown and of course everything got put on hold by the pandemic but we really believe this piece will strike a chord with people, perhaps now more so than ever before.
Red Pill will be on at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre between 13th and 18th of June. With your help we hope to be able to pay the actors and creative team involved a fair wage for working on this incredibly important show.
The benefits of supporting Red Pill:
With your support, you’re helping us to:
- Produce an important work of political theatre, dedicated to improving knowledge of how far-right movements indoctrinate vulnerable people.
- Support emerging artists at the beginning of their careers.
- Expand the cultural landscape of political theatre, with this new innovative production, showcasing a story unexplored in modern day media.
Our show aims to:
+ Educate our audience about how fascist and anti-democratic movements are born and proliferate
+ Improve knowledge of the alt-right, one of the most influential, dangerous and little understood political currents of recent history
+ Shed light on how vulnerable people are indoctrinated and radicalised by terrorist organisations so that our audience can better protect themselves and their loved ones
+ Empower emerging creatives to get their work seen on stage
+ Spread awareness of mental health services that exist to help those who might otherwise be at risk of indoctrination
How can I help?
You can help get Red Pill off the ground by donating to the project, purchasing one of our selection of rewards or by purchasing a ticket. A little goes a long way, £10 is a pair of shoes for a costume whilst £30 buys us an hour in a rehearsal studio. Sharing this page on social media is also a huge help and you can tag our accounts, linked below, so we know how awesome you are.
The Finances:
In total this project will cost £20,505.37 to complete, including a contingency budget. With over £16,771.24 being paid directly to emerging artists.
We expect to raise to raise £4,000 through crowdfunding, £1,965 through support in kind, £12,000 from private donors, £1,620 from show income and £1000 from individual giving.
Who will we reach?
Red Pill is a bespoke production, estimated to directly engage with audiences of 180 people over the course of our project, with maximum audiences of 300.
In combination with our venue we have a reach of over 7,000 followers, many centralised to London, frequently engaging in local events and culture.
Praise for our other work:
"18 minutes of wonderous joy as, in saying nothing of importance, so much is said"
- Four Minute Warning - Everything Theatre
"Packs a philosophical punch, as the duo effectively balance humour with the genuine unease"
- Four Minute Warning - The Wee Review
"Engaging, intriguing, funny"
- Joffrey! The Pantomime -Audience Club
"Endearing and homegrown and was supported by the audience who fiercely wanted the performance to succeed"
-Joffrey! The Pantomime - Concrete
"Anecdotal in a way a lot of people can relate to”
- So You've Found Me - Audience Review
Notable Shows:
Joffrey! The Story of Joffrey! The Pantomime:
Returning August 2022 - TheSpace - Edinburgh
"A proper laugh out loud panto" - Rated 4 stars
A smash hit sell out production retelling of the first season of the formally beloved television series Game of Thrones through the lens of the beloved British Panto.
After touring the South East, Joffrey! will be returning to delight audiences in Scottish audiences in August 2022.
Duologues (Podcast):
"18 minutes of wondrous joy" -
Duologues is a book of short stories in audio drama form. The episodes range from romantic comedy to wild west tragedy, from science fiction horror to historical farce. No two episodes will be the same, with the exception that they will always examine two characters at a fascinating crossroads in their lives.
Nominated for several awards including “Hidden Gem” and “Make Do and Mend”.
So You've Found Me:
Returning September 2022 - Headgate Theatre & The Lion and Unicorn Theatre
"Anecdotal in a way a lot of people can relate to" -
A one man show about a reluctant journey towards self-acceptance, coming out in the internet generation, and finding your letter within LGBTQ+.
A fully funded tour, supported by The Outhouse, a local LGBTQ+ charity.
Through every production we aim to:
- Tell heartwarming, integrative, and interesting tales.
- Champion new and untold stories, relevant to the modern audience.
- Provide opportunities for emerging creatives struggling to find work in a challenging industry.
- Inspire emerging creatives to produce exciting new work.
- Bolster the confidence of emerging creatives through mentorship schemes.
- Pique a spectrum of emotions of our audience.
Our full production history:
- Joffrey! The Pantomime (2018-current), visited/visiting - LCR, The Lion and Unicorn Theatre, Bread and Roses Theatre, theSpace Edinburgh
- Sliced Bread (2019), visited - The Birdcage
- Quintuple Live (2020) - Hosted online via Quintuple L’s online portal
- Red Pill (Debuting June 2022) - Visited/visited - Theatre Deli, The Lion and Unicorn Theatre
- Duologues (2020 - current) - theSpaceOnline Season 2
- Wolf of Poyais (Deubuing May 2022) - The Backstage Theatre, The Golden Goose Theatre
- Chaotic Neutral (Debuting August 2022) - TheSpace Edinburgh
- So You’ve Found Me (Debuting September 2022) - The Headgate Theatre, The Lion and Unicorn
- The Astonishing Adventure of The Chevalier Johnstone (Debuting early 2023) - Podcast
Pledge without reward:
You are awesome and you get to tell the world how awesome you are with a shoutout on our social media platforms. Purchasing this reward also gives you access to exclusive updates on the project. Whats not to love?
You are a person of quality so you want the XL package. With the social media shoutout XL package you get: A shoutout across our social media platforms, a personalised thank you email from the cast and crew, and a thank you on our website.
With the purchase of our night in package you will receive a virtual ticket to a filmed version of the show to enjoy at home, at your leisure. Included in the package are of course perks from lower tiers such as:
Social media shout-out.
Thank-you on the website and in the program.
Personalized thank-you from the cast and crew.
Regular updates on the project
10% discount (limited to two tickets) on all other Blue Bar Productions shows until 2023.
We are genuinely excited to be able to offer a package that involves actually going out-out. This package includes a ticket to the show which is on at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Camden between 13th and 18th of June 2022. As well as the tickets this package includes rewards from other tiers such as: Social Media Shout out, Thank-you on the website and in the program, Personalized thank-you from the cast and crew, Signed Program, Regular updates on the project, Regular updates on the project, 10% discount (limited to two tickets), on all other Blue Bar Productions in 2022.
This one is for all you lovers out there. The Date Night Package includes not one but TWO tickets to the show at The Lion and Unicorn in Camden between 13th and 18th of June 2022. In addition to that you also get:
Social Media Shout out.
Thank-you on the website and in the program.
Personalized thank-you from the cast and crew.
Signed Program.
Regular updates on the project
10% discount (limited to two tickets), on all other Blue Bar Productions shows until 2023.
As well as being a patron of the arts you are also a romantic at heart. The Date Night Deluxe package will be sure to sweep your date of their feet with two tickets to the show at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Camden on 13th to 18th of June 2022, a free drink on arrival (please make us aware of any potential allergies) and a keep sake prop to be chosen from the prop list! Other rewards for this tier include: Social Media Shout out, Thank-you on the website and in the program, Personalized thank-you from the cast and crew, Signed Program, Signed Script, Take home copy of the filmed version of
Not all heroes wear capes. Some of them look just like you. With the purchase of this reward you get: Two tickets to the show at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre 13th - 18th of June. A keep sake prop - to be chosen from prop list, A masterclass with a member of the team, a drink on arrival for both attendees (Please list any allergies), Social Media Shout out, Thank-you on the website and in the program, Personalized thank-you from the cast and crew, Signed Program, Signed Script, Regular updates on the project, Two free tickets to another Blue Bar show and a take home copy of the filmed show.
Always wanted to be a producer? With the purchase of this reward you can! You will get: Producer Credit, Dinner with the creative team, Shout-out and signed program, Keep sake prop - chosen from prop list, Masterclass with a member of the team,Personal invitation for you and a guest to our press night, a drink on arrival (Please make us aware of any allergies), Thank-you on the website and in the program, Personalized thank-you from the cast and crew, Signed Script, Regular updates on the project, Two free tickets to all other Blue Bar shows in 2022, Take home copy of the filmed show.
This reward gets you an Executive Producer credit, your name on the poster, a biography on website and in the program. You also get: A page of advertisement in the program, Dinner with the creative team behind the production, Shout-out and signed program,Keep sake prop - chosen from prop list, Masterclass with someone,Personal invitation for you and a guest to our press night and a drink on arrival, Personalized thank-you from the cast and crew, Signed Script, Regular updates on the project, 2 free tickets to all other Blue Bar shows in 2022, Take home copy of the filmed show.