https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/maw25-larp

Dates & Times:

Fri 27th Sept 3:00pm - Unit 10 Newton Mall, Cleveland Centre

Thur 2nd Oct 9:30am - Middlesbrough Town Hall

Sat 4th Oct 1:30pm - Middlesbrough Town Hall

What does the future of Middlesbrough look like - and what part will you play in shaping it?

Becoming ‘Boro is an immersive, people-powered live action role-play (LARP) inviting you to step into a future Middlesbrough and explore how our town’s identity could change in years to come.

Through collaborative storytelling, interactive objects, and time-travelling play, you’ll be part of an intimate, game-like experience where your memories, imagination, and ideas help shape the journey.

Expect to be challenged, surprised, and inspired as we explore themes of:

• Middlesbrough’s industrial legacy

• Our changing environment

• Political and social transformation
  
  This isn’t theatre. It isn’t a lecture. It’s a chance to co-create new possibilities, together.
  
  No experience required, just bring your curiosity, openness, and a willingness to play.

What to Expect

• Immersive storytelling rooted in local history, present-day tensions, and future visions.

• A small-scale interactive experience designed for 15–20 participants per session.

• Power objects that spark imagination, shift perspectives, and enable “time travel.”

• A chance to rehearse new ways of thinking, relating, and imagining Middlesbrough’s future.

About the Creators
Becoming ‘Boro is developed by Furtherfield, an award-winning London-based arts collective known for creating playful, participatory experiences, and artist Cecilia Wee, in collaboration with Middlesbrough artists, residents, community organisers, and civic partners.

This project is presented as part of Middlesbrough Art Week (MAW), the North East’s largest contemporary arts festival and supported by Borderlands, a creative engagement programme amplifying local voices and stories.

Funded by Borderlands Creative People & Places, The CPP Programme for Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, Funded by the Arts Council England
,
Running from 26 September to 5 October 2025, MAW is a 10-day festival of exhibitions, performances, screenings, talks, and public artworks that reimagine Middlesbrough’s past, present, and future through creativity. Learn more: https://middlesbroughartweek.com

If you have any specific access requirements, please contact: theauxiliary@gmail.com

Please arrive 15 minutes before the event starts

Location: Navigator North, Unit 7 Hillstreet Shopping Centre, TS1 1BA

Dates: Fri 26 Sept - Sun 28 Sept

Hours: 10am - 3pm 

Access: Step free 

Artists: Rosie Gibbens 

‘Unimate’ is a drop-in workshop where participants design and build prospective ‘labour-saving’ domestic devices inspired by an absurd interpretation of the future of robotics in the home. The humanoid ‘machines’ will be assembled using found household appliances alongside fabric body parts.

Location: 14 Corporation Rd (Opposite Tesco Express) Middlesbrough TS1 1LJ

Dates: Fri 26 Sept & Sat 27 Sept

Hours: 10am - 2pm, Free, Drop-in

Access: Step free 

Artists: Rumna Yasmin and Miki Rogers

What’s in My Suitcase’ is a collaborative project between Storyteller and writer Rumana Yasmin of Book Boy Books and Artist Miki Rogers, working alongside Indi Deol of Desi Blitz. Miki and Rumana work together to tell and uncover stories of migration through objects that have travelled across continents and creative activity which explores migration themes. For Middlesbrough Art Week Rumana will be telling a traditional Bangladeshi tale of Chader Buri, the fabled granny, with prompts from Nakshi Kantha traditional Embroidery. Miki will be using Kantha sewing to look at items brought from across the world, and you can join along by making your own Kantha embroidered mini panel.

Location: 10 Newton Mall (opposite old Poundland Store) Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough  TS1 2NW         Date: Sat 27 Sept Hours: 10am - 12pm Access: Step free Artists: Zara Saghir

Join artist Zara Saghir in this hands-on workshop to craft a miniature dholki drums, inspired by the traditional pre-wedding dholki celebration from South Asian culture. A dholki is a joyful yet emotional gathering, where women sing traditional wedding songs (geet) to celebrate the bride’s transition into married life. Though festive, the dholki also carries undertones of expectation, pressure, and performance around marriage.

In contrast, this workshop offers a reimagined ritual, one that centers self-love, reflection, and autonomy. Each participant will write a personal affirmation or empowering promise to themselves, a private vow of freedom, truth, or self-worth.

Location:  Navigator North, Unit 7 Hillstreet Shopping Centre, TS1 1BA

Dates: Sat 27, Sun 28 Sept and Sat 4 Oct 

Hours:10am - 4pm, Free, Drop in 

Access: Step free 

Come and explore Common Ground! 

During Middlesbrough Art Week we will be imagining what we can grow and nurture together in a sustainable future filled with hope, care and creativity. At our different making stations, you’ll be invited to use your imagination to design, build, paint and print with Sue Loughlin, our Community Connector. Get inspired by the themes and artists at MAW 2025, and our new creative programme Common Ground. Everyone is encouraged to get involved, share ideas and make art together.

Free Drop in event

Location: 14 Corporation Rd (opposite Tesco Express) Middlesbrough TS1 1LJ

Dates: Sat 27 Sept

Hours: 10am - 2pm, Free, Drop-in

Access: Step free 

Artists: Haider Ali

On Saturday 27th September, Desi Blitz will bring along their truck painted bus, hand painted by the internationally revered Truck painter Haider Ali. As well as marvelling in the spectacle of the bus, visitors can enjoy a mini museum of migration inside the vehicle, listen to stories of migration from the ‘One Suitcase’ project and follow a scavenger hunt looking for animals and designs with the painted design of the bus.