Furious Folly, created by Mark Anderson, takes place as night falls in a no-man’s land on the battle front. Audiences of up to 2,000 people per night find themselves immersed within an open-air collage of sound, light, pyrotechnics and performance.

Commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, Furious Folly is one of 27 new commissions exploring how the Great War has impacted on the society we live in now.

Anderson, a specialist in multi-media and site specific performance leads a team of artists, who draw on the anti-war spirit of the early 20th Century Dadaist movement. Furious Folly challenges the inhumanity and senselessness of conflicts past and present.

Twice Turner Prize-nominated artist Richard Wilson, who has collaborated with Anderson on a number of projects, comments, Anderson has spent his professional career creating audio visual alchemy that uses light, heat, vibrations, electricity, oscillating chemicals and paraphernalia to dazzle our eyes and startle our imaginations. 

This immersive experience will take place in Oxford, Birmingham and Stockton – all chosen for particular local resonances with World War I and the themes of the show.

Created at 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space. Produced by Corn Exchange Newbury and OCM in association with Oxford Playhouse, Birmingham Hippodrome, Oxford Festival of the Arts and Stockton International Riverside Festival. Co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW and Stad Poperinge.

Furious Folly by Mark Anderson 17th – 18th June. School Field, Magdalen College School, Cowley Pl, Oxford OX4 1DZ

8th – 9th July Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham

4th – 5th August 2016 Preston Park, Stockton on Tees

Free but must be reserved in advance

https://www.1418now.org.uk/commissions/furious-folly/