In a city where AI is either the future or the thing that writes your emails in Comic Sans, the Young Vic has decided to ask some very big questions. AiTopia, the inaugural production from The Collective, dives headfirst into the intersection of artificial intelligence, grief, and human connection. Created by a powerhouse team of 50 multidisciplinary artists from Lambeth and Southwark, this world premiere is far from your typical night at the theatre.
Expect innovation, expect disruption, and—because it’s 2025—expect AI to be at the centre of it all.
AiTopia Brings the Future to the Young Vic
Set in a self-governing utopia where the police have been defunded (take notes, real world), the play introduces a community promised peace, order, and financial reward through an AI After Life. The catch? Innovation always comes at a cost. As families start to see the cracks in this seemingly perfect system, they must confront the real question: Will AI help them heal, or will it erase what makes them human?
Blending science fiction with stark realism, AiTopia explores the delicate line between technology and identity, reminding us that the more we try to control life, the more unpredictable it becomes.
The Collective: A New Era of Theatre-Making
The production is the debut of The Collective, a 50-person strong company formed from artists who’ve participated in the Young Vic’s Taking Part Neighbourhood Theatre project. This ambitious initiative is rewriting the rules of theatre, shifting away from traditional hierarchies to create collaborative, community-led productions that feel as raw as they do revolutionary.
Led by director Michelle Payne, AiTopia has been developed over eight months, bringing together artists from different disciplines—acting, writing, design, movement, lighting, and sound—to construct a production from scratch. This is theatre that breaks barriers, smashes expectations, and throws the old rulebook straight into the recycling bin.
A Creative Powerhouse of Writers, Actors, and Designers
With a co-writing team of eleven, a cast of nineteen, and a creative team spanning set design, lighting, sound, and movement, AiTopia is as much a collaborative art experiment as it is a play. The production boasts talent from every corner of the creative spectrum, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise into a singular, cohesive vision.
The cast includes Adar Owuna, Boma Braide, Deborah Elizabeth Mali Smith, Ioannis Sykovari, Katerina Kaloyerou, and many more, with performances designed to immerse audiences into the world of AiTopia, where no one—not even the most tech-savvy—is truly in control.
Meanwhile, the creative team (including set designers Anne-Marie Garbrah, Elisa Rovelli, Marilyn Rogers, and others) has crafted a stage experience that promises to be as visually striking as it is intellectually gripping.
A Production That Prioritises Accessibility and Inclusion
AiTopia isn’t just breaking new ground in storytelling; it’s also making sure everyone can be part of the experience. The Young Vic’s Taking Part initiative is dedicated to inclusion and accessibility, providing free tickets and creative opportunities to communities in Lambeth and Southwark.
All performances will be Relaxed Performances, making the show more accessible for neurodivergent audience members. A BSL performance will also take place on Friday 31 January at 7:30 PM.