Ready Player Marx by by Sean Grundy and Cara Jennings

Nell Barlow and Hollie Edwin star in a satirical and emotional drama about the battles, firings and dirty tactics a group of video game workers face trying to unionise in the £50 billion gaming industry. Inspired by real events.

“Go, SuperMario, Go… Solidarity is built from struggle.”

Video game workers Laura in the UK and Rachel in the US are close to breakdowns with their 100-hour weeks, making violent game content, dealing with industry racism and sexism. They want to start a union to protect themselves and start secret meetings inside virtual gaming worlds where they attract a group of like-minded protestors. But all is not what it seems when the mysterious Marx-XXX appears on the scene. And in the real world they see just how nasty the industry can get when bosses want to bring them down.

“Remember Lara Croft… Revolution is the locomotive of history.”

It’s a story of love, betrayal, socialism and dark secrets when two young people fight for their rights and take on capitalism as they journey through online gameworlds - a bank heist in AutoPimp, undersea adventures in Noctopus, laser battles in Astrattack, beach fun in VolleyUppy, shoot and score in Glasshouse, and fighting demon dragons in Spangenhelm. The couple bring to life the fun of gameworlds and celebrate gaming having a positive role in the world.

“You know, PacMan, real power is in the workplace”

Written by Sean Grundy and Cara Jennings.

Laura …. Nell Barlow
Rachel …. Hollie Edwin
Eva …. Jennifer English
Steve …. Matt Addis
Gary …. Paul Panting
Benedict …. Jonathan Aris
Mum …. Elizabeth Carling

Director: Liz Anstee

A CPL production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2021.