We are excited to share a new film capturing the people of Cambridge, The Democratic Set. Filmed at Cambridge Guildhall during October 2022, The Democratic Set is a rapid series of short live performances and screen-based video portraits created with the local community.

This collaboration between Australian company Back to Back Theatre and Cambridge Junction explores the belief that all people are, in principle, equal and should enjoy social, political and economic rights and opportunities. 

The Democratic Set is part of Cambridge Junction’s community programme, working with people to develop opportunities for everyone to engage in creative activities. The Cambridge Junction team invited members of the local community to be a part of the project last year before filming took place in a custom-made film set comprising a neutral room with two opposing doors. By the end of the filming period over 100 people had taken part including pupils and students from Anglia Ruskin University, St Peter’s CABIN, and Red Balloon, the Romsey Town Rollerbillies, and Cambridge Junction’s Young Company and Contemporary Youth Choir.

“We’re delighted to have worked with 100 people (and 2 dogs!) from our community to make this fantastic experiment in democracy with critically acclaimed Australian company Back to Back Theatre. The only thing we knew would be in this film was a simple wooden box and it is the passion and creativity of local people that brought this simple set to life. We are inspired and driven by everything this film says about the inclusivity and diversity of our city and those people with whom we engage throughout the year and look forward to continuing to grow our community programme over the coming years.”

Matt Burman, Artistic Director, Cambridge Junction