Research in the city

Working with Dr Matt Davies from Newcastle University’s School of Geography, Politics & Sociology, theatre company Cap-a-Pie has created The Other City, a new podcast offering audiences a chance to see the city through new eyes. 

The Other City looks at how the global and the local come together in urban environments, and builds on Dr Davies’ research exploring the impact that major global events like the World Cup and the Olympics have on local communities.

Dr Davies said “When I was working in Rio as the city was preparing to host the Olympics, it was plainly clear that this international mega-event was having very concrete consequences for people’s everyday lives – for better and for worse. Rio taught me this: when the plans or designs of international investors or planners or bureaucrats come into contact with people’s daily lives, these multiplicities play themselves out in the streets, in houses, in kitchens and restaurants, in taxis and offices. And there’s no reason to think that these don’t play out in any other city: research is a matter of walking around attentively.”

Thinking differently about cities

Podcasts are now more popular than ever; a 2018 Ofcom report shows UK audiences have doubled in the last five years with nearly 6m adults now tuning in each week, but so far very few theatre companies have created podcasts and most have been factual - behind the scenes interviews about the industry.

Unlike other site-specific audio shows that follow a set trail or route, The Other City will be available for people to listen to at any time and in any city. It invites audiences to take a self-led journey through their city whilst being guided to look at it in new ways by Isabella - a fictional resident of Rio de Janeiro.

Cap-a-Pie Artistic Director Brad McCormick explains: “The aim of this project was for people to think about their own city and how the world outside influences and shapes it. We decided that if we wanted people to think about that, it would be best for them to experience the show while being outside, walking around the city, so we created a free podcast which people can listen to anywhere, at any time.

“The Other City offers audiences a different way of thinking about our world and our place in it. At a time of huge national uncertainty (we launch the podcast just days after Britain is due to leave the EU) we hope it will help people to think about what connections we have to the rest of the world - whether it's Rio or Newcastle, or any city - what is similar and what is different.”

Bringing research to life

In recent years, Cap-a-Pie has worked with academics from Newcastle University and local communities on a wide range of projects. As well as directing the company’s hit children’s show, Six Legs - a collaboration with Newcastle University insect researcher, Dr Vivek Nityananda and hundreds of local families at Ouseburn Farm in Newcastle - Cap-a-Pie are currently working with Alistair Ford and the School of Engineering at Newcastle University on a new show about climate change.

Other previous research projects also include The Town Meeting, a play in which the audience played the role of residents of the fictional town of Little Rikjord.   

The Other City will be available to download as a free podcast from 2 April, and two free meet the team events will take place at the Alphabetti theatre, St James Boulevard, Newcastle-upon-Tyne at 2pm on Saturday 6 April and Theatre Delicatessen in Sheffield at 2pm on Saturday 13 April.

Sign up to be the first to experience The Other City at www.theothercity.co.uk

Cast and creative team

Produced by Katy Vanden for Cap-a-Pie 
Directed by Gwilym Lawrence 
Written by Brad McCormick 
Performed by Giselle Nirenburg 
Audio by Sean Cotterill 
Co-created with Dr Matt Davies, Newcastle University

Press release adapted with thanks to Cap-a-Pie. Photography by www.phyllischristopher.com