The Living Unknown Soldier's green policies

The Living Unknown Soldier is unique in that it is the world's first production to be powered by a fuel cell, supplied and sponsored by the London Hydrogen Partnership. Every individual, every business, every shop, and every theatre has a part to play in tackling climate change and this lead is just what we need.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, in 2008

simple8’s 2008 play, The Living Unknown Soldier,  was London’s first ecologically sustainable theatre production. But what does this mean?

In tandem with a variety of partners, we aimed to put the principles of ecological sustainability at the centre of every facet of the production.

For The Living Unknown Soldier our aims were:

1) To create the UK's first ecologically sustainable theatre production, without compromising our artistic processes.

2) To audit the production, thereby creating a blueprint for theatres and theatre companies to follow in the future.

3) To adopt and develop the principles of Arcola Energy, by 'greening' the theatre and non-theatre areas of Arcola Theatre wherever possible.

4) To use the production of The Living Unknown Soldier, the Arcola and the theatre and the arts in general to spread the need for sustainable policies and environmental awareness as far and wide as possible.

5) To set the standard to which the newly formed Sustainable Theatre Partnership should aspire.

6) To do associated local education and environmental projects.

And we achieved:

1) We created the UK's first ecologically sustainable theatre production, covering areas including energy, travel, water and waste.

2) We compiled an audit of our work with Global Action Plan – read our audit here (link 7).

3) In tandem with the opening and running of The Living Unknown Soldier and Arcola Theatre, we held various press and publicity events - for example, we had press releases specifically for the sustainable side of the production and we held a Green Gala during the run. Additionally, simple8 appeared in the Ashden Directory and on Front Row on BBC Radio 4 to discuss the UK's first ecologically sustainable theatre production.

4) We formed links with various partners, including Hackney Council, The Mayor of London and The London Hydrogen Partnership.

5) In tandem with Montagna Education, we developed a production of an educational play, A Quest To Save Percy. Taking it to over 30 schools in South London, we educated and enthused children, we helped teachers develop their knowledge and teaching methods in this area and we developed links with schools and educators.

6) We substantially helped to 'green' Arcola Theatre, including the implementation of a hydrogen fuel cell and energy saving LED's in the theatre lighting.