in partnership with The B-Bar
Plymouth Undokai 2023
PLAY IT: Japanese Style Games
For ages 8-88
FUTURE UNDOKAI COMES TO THE UK!
The Future Undokai Project is a groundbreaking Japanese initiative exploring the future of intergenerational community sports and how communities might design new multi-player physical games. And Plymouth is home to it’s UK & European premiere!!!!
The Plymouth Undokai project is all about bringing people together to have fun and play games. At the first events on the 18th November you’ll get to play traditional Undokai games - similar to what you might play at a school sports day, fair or carnival but with a twist and a bit of tech mixed in.
Then over the next weekend from 24-26th November we'll create and play brand new games just for Plymouth, which will then be played en-mass on Sunday 26th November by over 200 people!
All Plymouth Undokai events are Pay What You Decide (places bookable in advanced).
PLAY IT: JAPANESE STYLE
Join us for a day of traditional Undokai games on Saturday 18 November 1-6pm.
ARE YOU A PLAYER?
This event features games designed and led by the Japanese team from the Undokai Association that have been played by hundreds of thousands of people in Japan.
Games we'll play might be similar to a tug of war mixed with ball games, relay races, long rope jumping, centipede racing and more fun activities.
These 'Player' events are ideal for:
- People who want to have fun and play games
- People who like mixing with lots of different people
- People who really enjoy(ed) sports day at school
- People who like beach or park games
- Groups such as football clubs, scouts, guides, cubs, brownies, boys brigade, girls brigade, young carers, home school groups, Duke of Edinburgh, Ten Tors adventurers.
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT THE EVENT
(click on the + for more info)
Tickets (Pay What You Decide)
This is a Pay What You Decide event which means you choose what the event is worth to you! You can decide what you would like to pay now by adding a ticket with a value to your cart, or you can pay when you arrive or after you've taken part.
Looking around at other events going on in the city, we estimate that a day pass to similar events would cost £10
There is no ‘right’ answer, we are not attempting to lead you to a specific figure. You can pay this suggested amount, less than this or more than this. You can even pay £0 for your ticket. No judgement.
Info about Pay What You Decide here
Venue Info
Plymouth Life Centre
40 Mayflower Dr
PL2 3DG
Plymouth
Parking is free for all users. The car park type is open air/surface. There is not a designated drop off point. The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance. Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
There are a number of bus stops near the centre, the closest ones being Segrave Road (45 meters away, 1 min walk), and Milehouse Lc 5 (204 meters away, 3 min walk). Use the CityBus Journey Planner to find buses travelling to the Plymouth Life Centre from your area.
About Plymouth Undokai
Barbican Theatre Plymouth and partners have joined together to bring international creators of theFuture Undokai Project to Plymouth.
Barbican Theatre's passion is building Plymouth’s creative voice, with expertise in participation, co-creation, and community engagement to delivering unique projects from PETROL HEADZ to Giant's Tea Parties. Barbican Theatre Plymouth’s CEO and Artistic Director, Laura Kriefman, visited Japan and co-created in the 2017 Future Undokai Future Sports Day at the Yamaguchi Centre of Arts and Media. After seeing the incredible collaborative way of working the seed was set to enable the UK to take part and design a Future Undokai for Plymouth, perhaps evolving into an annual event.
The Undokai Association is a world leading team of creative technologists and games designers who work with communities to build a community of co-creation in which every participant has opportunities to share their ideas freely to create a new style of Undokai. The Undokai Association are excited to facilitate the UK’s first Undokai and work with partners to create a bespoke game for Plymouth.
Presented by Barbican Theatre, Plymouth
Supported by Daiwa Foundation, Sasakawa Foundation, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, University of Plymouth, Real Ideas, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, Arts Council England and Plymouth Active Leisure.
Audience guidance / trigger warnings / safe space
Age Guidance: suitable for ages 8 - 88. Under 16’s must be accomapnied by a responsible adult aged 18+.
Emotional / trigger warnings: none expected. These are team events and so you will be playing the games with people you may not know to begin with.
Health warnings: while extreme physical fitness is not a requirement of taking part most of the games and activities have some sort of physical element to them. If you have any questions about this please drop us an email info@barbicantheatre.co.uk and a member of our team will get back to you.
Barbican Theatre and venues we use are safe spaces - safe to be who you are, regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, age, gender, identity, or sexual orientation.
FAQs
Do I need to be really fit to join in?
Not at all. While most of the games involve some form of physical activity this is not the Olympics (actually let’s call it the Plympics!!) Take things at your own pace, join your team and just have fun.
Can I come on my own?
Of course you can! One of the best things about an Undokai is team work and everyone coming together for games and fun. We’ll make up the teams on the day (but don’t worry we won’t separate you from your friends or family) so if you’re coming alone this is the perfect time to meet new people and make new friends. If you feel a little nervous on the day let one of the Barbican team know and we can introduce you.
Can I come in a group?
Definitely - the more the merrier! Bring your groups of family, friends, clubs etc - everyone and anyone aged 8-88 is welcome (under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18+ for the duration of the event)
What should I wear?
Please wear clothing and footwear you feel comfortable in and that you can move freely in. Some games might be more physical than others so we’d suggest wearing layers in case you want to cool down or warm up.
Do I need to come along to every event?
No you can come to as many or as few as you like. Please see details of what events we have here (link to main page).
PLAY IT: Japanese style games Sat 18 November
EVOLVE IT: Democratic Playful Games @ University of Plymouth
DEVELOP IT: making the new games for Plymouth Fri 24 Nov & Sat 25 Nov
PLAY IT: Plymouth style new games Sun 26 November.
What is Pay What You Decide?
Barbican Theatre have been running events and shows as Pay What You Decide for almost 2 years. We want to make sure events and activities are available for everyone to take part and we know the cost of things can make this hard for some people. So by allowing people to pay what they decide or what they can afford we hope this makes our events more accessible. We always make sure our Pay What You Decide events include a £0 ticket - so you can pay nothing and then afterwards if you want to contribute some money you can. But again there is never any pressure to pay or judgement if you don’t pay anything.
How can I pay?
If you’d like to contribute to our Pay What You Decide you can add a ticket with a £ value your basket when you book. (we include an idea of how much we think a ticket to a similar event is worth as audiences have said they like this as a guide) Or you can contribute when you arrive at your event or after the event has happened at the venue via contactless card or by putting money in our buckets.
Do I need to book a ticket or can I just turn up?
You must book a ticket in advance as we cannot guarantee there will be spaces left on the day. This also helps us know how many people we have coming and be able to send you important information beforehand.
How are you making the events accessible, and if I have access needs who do I speak to?
We are committed to these events being accessible to and enjoyed by all.
Please email us at info@barbicantheatre.co.uk and Project Director, Vashti Waites will be in touch to chat about any requirements you or you group may have.
Tech is scary to me - what sort of tech might be involved?
Please don’t be scared - this is not NASA! There might be some smart phones, cameras or lighting mixed into the games but it’s nothing too techy or complicated.
Will there be refreshments available?
There will be healthy snacks available throughout the day (and plenty of water) including some Japanese treats to try. For lunch you can bring a packed lunch (there is nowhere to store or heat food) We also hope to offer lunch boxes you can pre-order before the event. Once you book your tickets we’ll send you details of how to book a lunch box.
How can I find out more about Future Undokai and the Undokai Association?
Please visit their websites.
Future Undokai
Undokai Association
or check out their YouTube channel
Plymouth Undokai is produced in partnership with
