Designing Worlds explores the world of 1920s Berlin - now on the web

Now available on the web – our latest episode, as we explore the architectural beauties and the seamy underbelly of 1020s Berlin.

While Saffia browses the high class shops in Unter den Linden and muses on the wealth of art, architecture and cinema, Elrik explores the alleys and shabby apartments that show vividly what life was like for ordinary people in the Weimar Republic, and in a city that was open to experimentation and innovation like no other. And, hand in hand with that, went the famed decadence of Berlin's clubs ...

1920s Berlin - looking down Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate - photograph by Wildstar Beaumont

It was a time of political upheaval too, and we catch glimpses of that - although the Nazis were still a comparatively small and disregarded faction, engaging in street fights with the Communists. But this was a society dancing on the edge ...

Jo Yardley, the creator of 1920s Berlin, talks about all this and more as she gives them a fascinating guided tour of the region with a soundtrack of authentic music of the era.

It's an amazing show - don't miss it!

Berlin, the Alexanderplatz - photograph by Wildstar Beaumont

Join Designing Worlds Unter den Linden as we explore 1920s Berlin

1920s Berlin - looking down Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate - photograph by Wildstar Beaumont

Join us at 2pm SLT today, Monday 28th January, for our new episode of Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams as we explore a really fascinating region - a thoughtful and incredibly detailed recreation of 1920s Berlin.

This is a fascinating slice of history. Weimar Germany was a place of immense social deprivations, and great wealth, a time of fiery politics, riots, rebellions and the growth of political parties that would dominate the coming decades. But it was also a time of enormous artistic creativity in art, architecture and the comparatively new medium of film. It was also a time of tremendous decadence - a time when all sorts of previously hidden or repressed behaviours were permitted, sometimes encouraged ... and often viewed on the stages and in the cabarets.

Berlin - the Alexanderplatz - photograph by Wildstar Beaumont

All of this vibrant life takes place in a beautiful European city - a city also teeming with slums and a vibrant working class culture.

Jo Yardley, the creator of 1920s Berlin, talks about all this and more as she gives them a fascinating guided tour of the region with a soundtrack of authentic music of the era. It's a show you really won't want to miss!

So do come and join us at 2pm - and see how the Designing Worlds studio has acquired a Bierkeller!

1920s Bierkeller in the Designing Worlds Studio

 Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in at 2pm SLT on Monday for the live show on http://treet.tv/live – where you can now chat with other audience members and even some of the participants during the show – or catch it later in the week on our shows page on the Treet.tv web site at http://treet.tv/shows/designingworlds – our very own version of the iPlayer!

The Burning of Armada Breakaway

Armada Breakaway and Commander Vernden Jervil.
Photograph by Junie Ginsberg

As the coming weekend ends, so will Armada Breakaway. It is an Armadan tradition to burn when you go, and already the floating city is hot with the growing flames.  They will reach their peak this weekend, and then the city will vanish to smoke and ember, but hopefully will live on in everyone's dreams and memories.

Amongst the citizens of Armada is a small, unruly faction known as the Scoundrel Fleet. These notorious pirates have secured an island in the Blake Sea (or they may have possibly thrown the previous inhabitants to the sharks). This island will provide a safe (?) haven to continue our traditional "Tall Tales and Outright Lies" story nights, as well as ironclad practice and general mayhem at "Chaos!"

You are cordially invited to help give Armada Breakaway a proper sendoff. Mark these events on your calendar, and we will see you there!

Dance While Armada Burns
Saturday, January 26th, 6-9pm slt
The Sovereign, Armada Breakaway
Come celebrate Armada Breakaway while you can!  First we have the Armada Sirens dance troupe.  Then, Ahnyanka Delphin DJ's as we party while the floating city burns. This is literally your last chance to see, as Sunday the Lindens cast their net and tow it in.

February 17, 2013: 6:30 till ? slt
Tall Tales and Outright Lies
Collaborative story - The Exodus from Armada
Scoundrel Fleet Headquarters, Blake Bay


On February 17rd starting at 6:30pm slt, We will be having a Tall Tales special event, telling the story of the fleet's flight from Armada on the spot. All are welcome to watch or participate in the event. Currently we are looking at doing the story in 3 sections:

Part 1: The Fire
A number of fires started on Armada for various and unrelated reasons at the same time. Participants are encouraged to tell how they saw one of the fires starting, or how they heard a fire started. Or how they saw a fire and are sure it is Bob's fault. Once we have a good blaze going...

Part 2: The Escape
The actual flight from the floating city. Grab what you can and run in boats, warships, rafts, or whatever else you can find and make for the remote island that the Scoundrel fleet discovered. I am told they may have been people living there that needed to be evicted as we moved in, method left up to the individual storyteller.

Part 3: A New Home
The Scoundrel Fleet's first days in their new home. Setting up the beginnings of a base camp, scouring for resources. Erecting the first structures. Then taking to first steps to regain our position as the terror of the seas.

A few notes for people who are not part of Armada or the fleet and may wish to contribute:

You are still more then welcome to come participate in the story, or just watch it unfold. The two ideas that first come to my mind is that you just happened to visit the city on the wrong day and have to escape the fire with everone else. Alternately, if you want to adopt a new persona for the night just to participate, we will not mind at all. You could even redshirt such an individual if you feel the tale needs some tragedy. Of course any other ideas are also welcome.

As a last note, feel free to come with material prepared, but be ready to adjust it in process if it doesn't quite fit what is going on. I hope to see you all there!