Our Vision:

We are reimagining economic systems that prioritise planetary health, equality, and well-being. Welcome to THE CAPITALISM ESCAPE ROOM —an immersive, story-driven experience. The challenge? To work together to confront escalating challenges and “escape” capitalism before social and ecological collapse.

Founding Team:

• Slowmentum (Stephen Hilton & James Martin): Integrating regenerative economy

• Kate Arthurs: A specialist in creative dialogue and cultural diplomacy.

• Sunnie Martin: MyWorld Scholar, creative technologies and immersive storytelling.

• Olly Langdon: Co-founder of Kilter Theatre,

• Claudia Firth: \|Senior Research Associate in alternative economic practices.

Sponsorship:

We are delighted to have been supported by The Studio’s Innovation Fund, 2025. This R&D phase completed in July 2025 and we are now seeking longer term funding and support.

The Capitalism Escape Room

A For the past six months, we’ve been cooking up something unusual: The Capitalism Escape Room. It’s part theatre, part puzzle, part social experiment – and it asks one big question: can you escape capitalism before social and ecological collaps

The experienc blends puzzles, storytelling, technology and performance, all set inside a mysterious Cabin in the Woods. It’s playful, but also a chance to reflect on how our economic systems shape the way we live – and to imagine different futures centred on community, well-being and

Why we’re doing it

We want the Escape Room to spark:

• Curiosity – encouraging people to question the invisible systems around us.

• Creativity – giving participants the chance to experiment with hands-on, imaginative solutions.

• Connection – offering a catalyst for change, rooted in the belief that communities can come together to build something better.

The journey so far

Here’s a flavour of what’s happened over the last few months:

• We’ve built a creative team with skills in theatre, design, economics and research.

• A six-month R&D phase (supported by Bath Spa University) gave us time to design puzzles inspired by Earth, Water, Fire and Air.

• A showcase in July drew loads of interest and energy from the community.

• We’ve had amazing feedback online – our LinkedIn launch post reached 11,000+ views and sparked 250+ likes and comments.

• Creative offers have come in from Bristol (illustrators, sign writers, producers) as well as international invitations from Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the US, Wales and Scotland.

• All this is happening against a backdrop of an industry shift – escape rooms are moving away from horror and jump scares, and towards deeper, more thoughtful storytelling.

What’s next?

We’re planning a Christmas Pop-Up in Bristol – the first public version of the Capitalism Escape Room. After that, the plan is to grow: building partnerships, securing funding, and developing the experience into something that could become a permanent attraction.

Want to get involved?

We’re looking for partners, collaborators and supporters to help us take the next step. If you’d like to join the adventure, just complete the form below – we’d love to hear from you.