If we want to distribute power in a fair way, something must change. But what – and how? Company New Heroes are looking for answers across Europe, with an energetic, humorous, visual and musical performance about democracy.

Read more about In Search of Democracy 3.0 – installation here >>

Can art and theater contribute to urban development and increased participation? Yes, says Company New Heroes, who travel around Europe in search of an upgraded democracy. In the autumn of 2021, they will come to Norway with this interactive, critically acclaimed performance.

In Search of Democracy 3.0 is an exploratory art project that looks at how local democracy can be practiced in an increasingly globalized world. Does that sound complicated? Dutch Company New Heroes and director Lucas de Man make it easy! The company has traveled around Europe with their projects and will visit Moss, Fredrikstad and Drammen in the autumn of 2021.

In Search of Democracy 3.0 has two parts: The first part is an interactive installation, which invites people to actively participate in deciding what the cities of the future should look like. Read more about In Search of Democracy, installation here >>
The second part is this interactive performance about the history of democracy.

Energy and humour

The international news picture can be downright depressing: authoritarian leaders, algorithm-driven information, polarization, economical power and growing distrust of politicians. In Norway, we are so lucky to live in a country where democracy is in good shape in general. At the same time, local democracy can be characterized by powerlessness in the face of national or global demands.

If we want to distribute power in a fair way, something must change. But what – and how? Company New Heroes is looking for answers throughout Europe – and in Norway.

This is something as unusual as an energetic, humorous, visual and musical performance – about democracy. It all begins with a story about the origins of democracy that will probably surprise many – and continues through today’s challenges and towards a possible future. The actors are constantly active with the audience, who can contribute with their input or through voting.

See performance dates above.

Panel discussions on art and democratic participation

Can art contribute to active urban citizenship and real participation in democratic processes?
After the performances in Fredrikstad on June 17th and Drammen on June 20th, we will organize panel discussions on this topic! In addition, there will be a panel discussion on June 12th in Oslo, during Heddadagene – come join us!

>>Scenekunst utenfor scenen, Heddadagene/Det Norske Teatret, Oslo, June 12th at 10:00

>>Art and active city citizenship, Kulturytring Drammen, June 20th at 15:00

What press and audience say

“Fra første stund involverer aktørene publikum i søket etter demokratiet […] alle vil bidra muntlig til den løsslupne diskusjonen, som likevel holdes tett under kontroll av De Man og skuespillerne hans på en smart og vittig måte. Raske, improviserte vitser imellom og en stor bunke forslag fra publikum. ”

[Translated] “From the outset, the actors involve the audience in the search for democracy […] everyone will contribute orally to the loose discussion, which is nevertheless kept closely under control by De Man and his actors in a smart and witty way. Fast, improvised jokes in between and a big pile of suggestions from the audience. ”

– Dagblad van het Noorden

“Jeg var på et show om demokrati i ettermiddag. Der kom det fram mange ideer fra hele verden om hvordan vi bedre kan involvere folk i politikken, og sikre at stemmen deres blir hørt. Jeg tok notater. Det var virkelig gode ideer og jeg vil garantert huske dem! ”

[Translated] “I was at a show about democracy this afternoon. There were many ideas from around the world on how we can better involve people in politics, and ensure that their voice is heard. I took notes. These were really good ideas and I will definitely remember them! ”

-Lilianne Ploumen, former minister, on the dutch tv-channel NTS

“Energien og inspirasjonen som ‘ In Search of Democracy ’ bringer med seg, og som bare vil øke i løpet av turneen, er et veldig kjærkomment tilskudd til rådene fra politiske utvalg med samme tema. Det høres så opplagt ut, men blir dessverre sjelden gjort: Involvér kreative sinn i å utforme nye ideer og sette opp en sosial samtale.”

[Translated] “The energy and inspiration that ‘In Search of Democracy’ brings, and which will only increase during the tour, is a very welcome addition to the advice of political committees with the same theme. It sounds so obvious, but is unfortunately rarely done: Involve creative minds in designing new ideas and setting up a social conversation.”

– Theaterparadijs

“Company New Heroes gjennomfører søket etter et “demokrati 3.0 ”  på en grundig måte både når det gjelder innhold og form. De er spesielt oppmerksomme på at ingen faller av underveis – fordi demokratiet bare kan formes eller gjenoppfinnes hvis alle er med […] Forestillingen er tankevekkende og bygger en bro til den “virkelige verden”. Mikro-demokratiet som oppstod i forestillingen fortsetter å gi gjenklang ”

[Translated] “Company New Heroes conducts the search for a” democracy 3.0 “in a thorough manner both in terms of content and form. They are especially aware that no one falls off along the way – because democracy can only be shaped or reinvented if everyone participates […] The performance is thought-provoking and builds a bridge to the “real world”. The micro-democracy that emerged in the show continues to resonate “

– Pzazz

For å holde demokratiet reelt og levende må vi endre praksis. De kreative menneskene på scenen vet hvordan de kan stimulere folk til å komme med små og store forslag, hjertevarmende og overraskende. Flott å oppleve!

[Translated] To keep democracy real and alive, we must change practices. The creative people on stage know how to stimulate people to come up with small and big suggestions, heartwarming and surprising. Great to experience!

– Teaterkrantz

Credits

Artistic director and host: Lucas De Man (Stichting Nieuwe Helden)
Performance and host: Willy Thomas (ARSENAAL/LAZARUS)
Dramaturge and host: Sarah Eisa (ARSENAAL/LAZARUS)
Musician and performer: Niels Kuiters (Stichting Nieuwe Helden)
Research and creative producer: Jasper van den Berg (Stichting Nieuwe Helden)
Film director: Emma Lesuis (Stichting Nieuwe Helden)
Production management: Kim Eldering (Stichting Nieuwe Helden)
Curator-producer Norway: James Moore (Østfold Internasjonale Teater)
Production Coordinator Norway: Fredrik Borgund (Østfold Internasjonale Teater)
Co-production: Atelier 231 (FR), Festival di Terni (IT), Freedom Festival (UK), La Strada Graz (AT), Lieux publics (FR), Norfolk & Norwich Festival (UK), Oerol Festival (NL), Theater op de Markt (BE) and UZ Arts (UK) og Østfold Internasjonale Teater (NO). Prosjektet er et pilotprosjekt under IN SITU Act og er støttet av EU-programmet Kreativt Europa, samt av Viken Fylkeskommune

Read more about the project here: www.insearchofdemocracy.com 

Press photos