Common Wealth Premieres Demand The Impossible in Newport UK
Cardiff and Bradford-based theatre company Common/Wealth have today released a set of first-look production images for their brand-new production, Demand The Impossible by photographer Jon Pountney.
The production will receive its world premiere this week, opening at the Corn Exchange, Newport from 6-13 October 2025, with a press night on 7 October 2025. Tickets are on sale at cornexchangenewport.com.
Part-performance, part-gig, part-sensory experience, Demand the Impossible challenges audiences to question truth, trust, and power as uncomfortable relationships between the state, police and citizens are exposed. Featuring a reverberating live score, pumping techno, live visuals, and augmented reality streams, Demand The Impossible will create an immersive world reaching back to the summer of unrest in 1968, across decades of civil action into the 21st century and beyond, shining a light on ‘the futures they stole from us.’
One of the most closely guarded secrets in British policing history, the current public inquiry is investigating undercover police officers who spied on more than 1,000 political groups between 1968 and at least 2010, sometimes stealing dead children’s identities.
At least 144 undercover officers in deployments typically lasting four years were sent to infiltrate mainly leftwing and progressive groups. At least four of the undercover officers are known or alleged to have fathered children with women they met during their deployments. Demand The Impossible untangles the ‘Spycops’ scandal and its impact on real lives.
Performers & Artists include Bianca Ali, Hussina Raja and Soul Roberts. Composition and live music is by Ollie Emanuel, Ruari Floyd and Jassen Summogum.
The Creative Team is made up of Director: Rhiannon White, Creative Technologist & Performer: Nathaniel Mason, Choreographer: Gareth Chambers, Text by: Taylor Edmonds, Dramaturgy: Sarah Fielding, Set & Visual Design: Studio of Mark Gubb, Lighting Designer: Andy Purves and Costume and prop design: Efa Dyfan.
The Production Team are Production Manager: Nia Thomson, Creative Producer: Camilla Brueton, Community Producer: Chantal Williams, Communications Associate: Rachel Dawson, Community Co-ordinator: Eugenia Taylor and Assistant Producer: Sophie Lindsey.
Demand The Impossible is presented in partnership with Police Spies out of Lives, Undercover Research Group and Spycops info podcast. Funded by Arts Council Wales, Immersive Arts and The John Ellerman Foundation. Supported by the Wales Millennium Centre, and previously supported by National Theatre Wales (NTW).
Main Image: Demand the Impossible - credit Jon Pountney
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