4 – Performance

The Trials of Democracy: Performance

The Play – The Dazzle, by Patrick Morris

The Dazzle, written and directed by Patrick Morris, was performed 4 times over the weekend of October 4-5th 2025 in the old Courthouse at Cambridge Guildhall.

Why the title?  The Dazzle of distraction that plagues so many of us.  The Dazzle of leaders or influencers who can solve all your problems.  The Dazzle of politicians as entertainers or jokers.  The Dazzle of power.  The Dazzle of impossibility.

The play is inspired by the dozens and dozens of conversations, encounters and workshops we’d had over the course of the project.  It dives deeply into the grave challenges facing our democracy – the rise of populism, the role of mainstream and social media, the lack of engagement and the unaccountability of billionaire influencers.  It also features

Cassie – beginning

Set in the entirely fictional town of Craven, it features a resourceful, idealistic, though highly inexperienced, young local reporter.  We follow her journey as she learns uncomfortable truths about her town and her own unwitting participation in undermining democracy.

Council meeting argument

Joann in turmoil

Council meeting Joanna takes over

Having a mixed cast was the most important aspect – professionals and amateurs have a lot to learn from each other.  Professionals bring a heightened sense of craft and (ideally good!) habits to the process, while amateurs bring an inspirational energy and commitment, coming to rehearsal AFTER a day’s work and voluntarily giving their time.  We were privileged to have highly dedicated amateur actors from different walks of life in our cast, including a teacher, a lawyer, a peace activist, two musicians, and a writer.  We were also lucky to have composer and sound designer Ashley Day on board.  His music compositions and arrangements, alongside his technical skills & experience were instrumental both in making the Courthouse a working theatrical space and creating the production itself.

Court scene

Hell

Hell

Patrick wrote the play with the venue very much in mind – we wanted to focus on our relationship with Democracy, what it meant to us all today.  Therefore, the play became more of an inquiry, with the courtroom venue requiring us to imagine the audience’s relationship to the action.  We rehearsed as if the play itself was evidence in an ongoing debate about the ideals, challenges and complications of  Democracy.

Audience clapping

Some Responses to the Play from Audience Members

Thank you to Menagerie for a great play! It really spoke to amazing local Cambridge issues (raw and democratic)…National issues too.

Fantastic and thought provoking play – fabulous actors!

Phenomenal! Thank you so much. Needs to be in schools

Thank you for such an interesting afternoon. A play on a topic that is so challenging but also important. I thought the cast were wonderful. 

The play was so well acted. Very thought provoking and worrying – thank you for putting it on.

Great project – thank you. Very thought provoking. Fantastic play – please take it on the town.

Thought provoking and stimulating! Would be great to see in local libraries/ schools/community centres/church centres where there are community hubs 

Thank you so much for a wonderful experience. We want more of it.  All A-Level students should see this play! Thank you

GREAT SUBJECT! GREAT SHOW! GREAT EXHIBITION! GREAT PLAY!

LINK to the Programme for the play

Find out more about The Trials of Democracy

More about public involvement

More of the Exhibition

https://youtu.be/VIWOkGdy098?si=gqi2mgXP769UTVWS

This project has been supported by S-106 grant funding from Cambridge City Council