What does the future of Middlesbrough look like — and what part will you play in shaping it?
Becoming ‘Boro is an immersive, people-powered live action role-play (LARP) inviting you to step into a future Middlesbrough and explore how our town’s identity could change in years to come.
Through collaborative storytelling, interactive objects, and time-traveling play, you’ll be part of an intimate, game-like experience where your memories, imagination, and ideas help shape the journey.
Expect to be challenged, surprised, and inspired as we explore themes of:
- Middlesbrough’s industrial legacy
- Ecological justice and our changing environment
- Political and social transformation
This isn’t theatre. It isn’t a lecture. It’s a chance to co-create new possibilities, together.
What to Expect
- A Chamber LARP — small-scale, collaborative role-play designed for 15–20 participants per session.
- Immersive storytelling rooted in local history, present-day tensions, and future visions.
- Power objects designed by artists to spark imagination, shift perspectives, and enable “time travel.”
- A chance to rehearse new ways of thinking, relating, and imagining Middlesbrough’s future.
- No acting experience required, just bring your curiosity, openness, and a willingness to play.
About the Creators
Becoming ‘Boro is developed by Furtherfield, an award-winning London-based arts collective known for creating playful, participatory experiences, and artist Cecilia Wee, in collaboration with Middlesbrough artists, residents, community organisers, and civic partners.
This project is presented as part of Middlesbrough Art Week (MAW), the North East’s largest contemporary arts festival and supported by Borderlands, a creative engagement programme amplifying local voices and stories.
Running from 26 September – 5 October 2025, MAW is a 10-day festival of exhibitions, performances, screenings, talks, and public artworks that reimagine Middlesbrough’s past, present, and future through creativity. Learn more: https://middlesbroughartweek.com
Follow the Project
Furtherfield → https://www.furtherfield.org Borderlands Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/borderlands_cpp/ Borderlands Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/BorderlandsCPP Borderlands YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@BorderLands123
