Nick Hern Books has, this year, published a book relating to World Factory, which was first staged in 2015. Subtitled ‘The Game’, this isn't in any sense a script or text because it simply wasn't that kind of show.
Created by dramaturg and director, Zoe Svendsen and designer Simon Daw, World Factory gives a participant audience of 96 people, divided into 16 equal groups, the opportunity to play a game which explores the Chinese clothing industry by turning the players into factory managers – think Monopoly or Poker writ large. Each group would be seated round a table within a design which also included a factory floor and a catwalk.
‘Players have cards which give them decisions and choices – all based in the extensive research which Zoe and Simon did in China,’ says Kate O'Connor, who was responsible for the education pack produced as a resource for teachers to accompany the show. ‘Many people who took part really did think about the ethics and they learn from the game just how cut-throat the industry is and how tight the margins are. They took part in after-show discussions and then we'd see seen them in the bar later still talking about it,’ she says, adding that this a game of survival in which you can either play to win at all costs as a bit of fun or you can try to behave ethically – and learn that it's almost impossible if you're to stay in business.
The show was a collaboration between New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Young Vic and Company of Angels. It premiered at the New Wolsey before going on to run at the Young Vic and tour to Brighton, Cambridge and Manchester in 2016. Last year saw performances at Brierfield Mill, a disused cotton mill in Lancashire. ‘We were particularly excited about Brierfield Mill,’ says O'Connor, ‘because there are so many links and parallels in World Factory with our own former status as a world textile producer.’
Lots of school parties came to the show, with its themes relating to a whole range of curricular areas including geography, economics, history and PSHE. ‘We also worked with lots of young people when we were developing it,’ says O'Connor. ‘This isn't a show that the cast can rehearse without an audience of game players.’
Stage to page
Now, with the book of the show, O'Connor and everyone involved are hoping that the life of the concept will be extended. ‘The purpose of the book is to enable people to play the game,’ says O'Connor. ‘Even without the cast to lead each group and deal to them it works well in classrooms or you could do it at home.’ Like the show, the book is aimed at people of all ages and backgrounds: none of it is specifically intended for young people.
The book includes an introduction which details how Svendsen and Daw worked with a Chinese theatre director, Zhao Chan – who eventually staged his own, very different show in China. They also teamed up with sympathetic factory owner Madam Wang, herself a former factory worker, who allowed them to interview and film her workforce.
Then there are printed playing cards. Each one describes a scenario and presents a conundrum. Possible actions are suggested on the back of each. You, the player, choose a decision. For example, you need more workers – there's a new order for T-shirts from a company in Hong Kong, Should you hire untrained Chinese migrants? They're willing to take low pay but you will have to train them. Or should you could hire illegal Vietnamese economic migrants who are desperate for work and highly skilled. Points are gained or lost. All the scenarios, which are narratively linked, are based in research by Svendsen and Daw.
All the cards are printed in the book along with detailed instructions about how to play the game in different ways. At the back of the book comes a series of essays including an interview with a UK supermarket worker; ‘Clothing in Circulation: the hidden global trail of second hand garments’ by Lucy Norris; and ‘Why we need a fashion revolution’ by Orsola da Castro.
‘We think the book will be a really useful resource for teachers, and not just drama teachers, either,’ says O'Connor, adding that there are more resources on the NHB website. Through the slogan ‘Made in China. Sold in Britain. Worn by You’, it is made clear that the issues explored by World Factory: he Game affect every single one of us.