A unique tabletop game has been brought to life at Stone Nest in London’s West End, where participants engage with each other as they navigate a re-creation of the January 6 US Capitol riot. The game, created by an arts nonprofit, aims to encourage self-reflection on political polarization and promotes “infinite game” thinking.
The game follows a model of the Capitol, divided into two teams: Team Blue defending the building and Team Red trying to breach it. Participants sing, chant, and roll dice as they compete, with the goal not being to win but to share values that keep democracy alive.
After 24 performances in London, audiences have voted 18-6 on whether to “hang” former Vice President Mike Pence. The game’s creators used hours of real footage from January 6 to accurately recreate the scene, and an audience member intervened to spare Pence, illustrating the complexity of the situation.
The game has sparked powerful reactions from participants, with some acknowledging they were previously susceptible to mob mentality. Organizers hope that their Washington run next January will spark further dialogue on polarization and promote a more nuanced understanding of democracy.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/11/london-theater-capitol-riot-reenactment