Parasite TV ~ PolyVocalCity exhibition at Turf Projects
PolyVocalCity – Parasite TV, 2024.
‘The local as a condition that embodies global conflicts’- Jeanne van Heeswijk
Theatrum Mundi is proud to present PolyVocalCity’s Parasite TV, an exhibition hosted by Turf Projects from the 28th September until the 12th October 2024.
Over the past two years, we’ve been working in Croydon with local stakeholders to understand how processes of redevelopment and regeneration shape the area, who holds the power in these changes, and who gets to make decisions.
Building from these conversations, participants have been making worlds using storytelling, choreography, music and games to imagine fairer environmental, social and cultural narratives for Croydon and beyond. Over the past 7 months, our 2024 cohort has in particular used parasitic life as a way to challenge existing power structures and explore how mutual support can build resilience and break down hierarchies.
Parasite TV is a four episode show, adopting different formats from a talk show giving voice to the inhabitants (both human and more than human) of a tower block, taking you on a strange encounter with the ghosts of shopping centres, inviting you to build new realities through a gaming session and meet Croydon’s local through music and conversations.
The exhibition is accompanied by a program of events inviting you to take part in worlds imagined by participants.
Saturday 28 September – 2pm-5pm
Join us for the opening of Parasite TV with a DJ set by PolyVocalCity’s members and performances by Dino De Sica, Tamusaqa Nkiwane and John Hyde.
3pm– Croydon Croydon by Dino De Sica:
This live a cappella performance of Croydon, Croydon is an extract from the video presented in the exhibition. Inspired by Sinatra’s New York, New York, this satirical homage draws a close connection between Croydon and New York, highlighting a parallel between their vibrancy, diversity, and character. Once poised to be a financial hub, Croydon now grapples with empty spaces, challenges, and enduring prejudice. The a cappella performance invites the viewer to strip away the noise of prejudice and explore Croydon’s true potential, which exists within its strong sense of community and creativity. It opens up new ways to build fairer environmental, social, and cultural narratives through collective effort and embracing diversity and complexity.
3.30pm– Join Tamusaqa Nkiwane and guests for an original musical performance inspired by Croydon.
Saturday 5 October – 2pm-5pm
Join us for Playful Production, a free drop-in, creative workshop for families. Suitable for children aged 4–12 years with their parents and carers.
Playful Production will introduce children to the magic of television and how shows are made. Drop in for interactive activities where children can discover how special effects like green screens work and learn to create their own sound effects.
From 3-4pm, take part in our Character Creation Workshop, where kids can design their own characters and then bring them to life in an exciting game of Top Trumps.
A sensory area with a ball pit and building blocks for toddlers will be available to enjoy throughout the event.
Saturday 12 October:
10.30am-1pm– Join us for Paraplay ~ A Live Action Role Play.
There were always suspicions about what truly went on at the Whitgift Centre, as the security cameras never seemed to catch the full picture.
“Paraplay” is a LARP game set within the disintegrated halls of the Whitgift Centre. In this interactive experience, participants will explore parasitic strategies, navigating the space between – and beyond – dependency and resistance. The centre becomes the living playground, where mimicry, sabotage, and half-truths shape the game. What is seen and what remains hidden becomes a tool, with participants feeding off both the system and one another. As the game unfolds, the balance of power shifts, and the rules of control and autonomy are constantly reimagined, keeping players on their toes.
Please arrive on time for a prompt start at 10.30am. Refreshments and pre-play warm ups will be provided from 10am to 10.30am.
2-4.30pm- Join us to play our new card game, The Elysium! An immersive game experience where you enter our TV show. Traverse through a collective journey building (and possibly unbuilding) your very own utopia, whatever that may look like for you…
In groups of six, you will all first build what you want your world to look like through a series of prompts. You will then have the strength of your new world playfully tested. Will it survive? You decide.
The gaming session will start at 2pm and end by 4:30pm, with the last 30 minutes being used to collectively reflect on your experience.
There will be snacks, tumbling towers, and brawls – come though!
Open to All.
PolyVocalCity is an intergenerational, educational cohort aimed at individuals who have a strong interest in cities and culture. The 2024 cohort includes: Sara Anand, Naomi Credé, Madonna George, Daisy James, Barbara Kaczmarczyk, Norman Mine, Shiza Naveed, Tamusaqa Nkiwane, Bansi Patel, Matthew Pembery, Nick Smith, Angus Tarnawsky, Kaye Toland,Coco Wheeler, Annie Williams.
The delivery of the program has been supported by the Croydon’s Placemaking Team and Turf Projects with the support of the City Bridge Trust.