Escaping Capitalism - How can Freedom, Creativity and Play help us Reimagine the Future Economy?

What if play, something often dismissed as frivolous, could help us reimagine the economy? In a world dominated by work, consumption, and productivity, play offers a powerful alternative. As Pat Kane argues in The Play Ethic, “play is not just a leisure activity; it is a way of knowing, a way of being, and a way of relating to others.” Far from being a distraction, play encourages creativity, connection, and experimentation — qualities essential for tackling global inequality, climate change, and mental health.

As Mark Fisher observed, “It’s easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism.” Our economic systems feel so entrenched that imagining alternatives can seem impossible. Yet thinkers like Kane highlight the power of play as a form of resistance, echoing earlier ideas that it is essential to a balanced, happy, and fulfilled life. Play challenges a society reduced to “mere spectacle,” creating space for more meaningful ways of living.

In this spirit, movements like the wellbeing economy, doughnut economics, post-growth, and even degrowth provide inspiring alternatives to capitalism. Community-driven approaches, including, cooperatives, community interest companies and community benefit societies, also prioritise equity, sustainability, and shared purpose over profit. Together, these models align with Kane’s vision of “an extended ‘play moment’ for our planet” — a future where global creativity and sustainability thrive hand in hand.

Over the next six months, supported by The Studio Innovation Fund, this innovative research and development project will co-design a unique, immersive, and reflective experience that invites participants to reimagine economic systems that prioritise planetary health, equality, and well-being. The challenge? To “escape” capitalism before ecological collapse.

A collaboration between Slowmentum (Stephen Hilton and James Martin), Kate Arthurs, Hand in the Dark (Sunnie Martin), Kilter Theatre (Olly Langdon), and Claudia Firth (University of Bristol), the project combines expertise in interactive theatre, arts, alternative economies, creative audio technologies, and mental health. Rooted in Bath and Bristol, it draws on the cities’ histories and economies to craft an experience that explores the interplay between nature, economy, and climate impact. For example, how the City of Bath’s thermal springs, naturally heated deep beneath the Mendip Hills, are a gift of nature that has shaped the city’s global identity and economic opportunity for centuries. It is a pattern repeated in places around the world. Exploration of the tensions between natural resources, economic systems and climate impact are central to the project’s goal.

The Capitalism Escape Room taps into a booming cultural phenomenon. Escape rooms attract players in their 20s and 30s who often travel significant distances and engage with multiple experiences annually. By using this popular format, the project makes complex discussions about climate, economy, and systemic change accessible and engaging. Through exploring innovative immersive audio technology, it seeks to offer a compelling experience that balances entertainment with deeper reflection.

The Capitalism Escape Room is more than entertainment; it’s an immersive experience and call to action. By fostering reflection and collaboration, it inspires participants to rethink their relationships with the world and each other, and to question how and why the economy is organised in the way that it is. Rooted in equity, sustainability, and regeneration, its circular model integrates education, entertainment, and local investment, amplifying long-term community engagement and offering a replicable model for tackling societal challenges.

Could embracing freedom, creativity, and play help us transition to an economy that values balance over burnout and imagination over exploitation? As we explore these questions through play, the Capitalism Escape Room offers not just entertainment but a radical invitation to codesign a healthier, more equitable future.

Discover more and register your interest at www.capitalismescaperoom.org