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'Market of Optimism' stallholderOptimistic market-goersSpice up your life stall!10 Neuros to spend at the 'Market of Optimism'

“It’s not every show that sends you home with a duster, a cuddly rat and a certificate promising extreme optimism for the year ahead.”

The Guardian

“What a wonderful surprise – somewhere to rejuvenate my faded belief in magic and creative fun!”

Perth ‘Market’ Visitor

Mischief La-Bas’ ‘Market of Optimism’

In the light of the current economic meltdown and general sense of universal misery, Mischief La-Bas is bucking the trend and leading the way towards a bright and glorious future. Firstly by printing and freely distributing their own currency (Neuros) and secondly by touring the ‘Market of Optimism’ for the downtrodden populace to spend it in.

The team at Mischief La-Bas have been ‘gently warping the underlay of the fabric of society’ since their creation in 1992, presenting interactive walkabout theatre, where performers improvise directly with the public. They perform up to two hundred gigs each year for a variety of clients including arts festivals, event agencies, corporate clients and individuals.

Mischief’s recent production – ‘Market of Optimism’ – was an interactive street-long experience designed to amuse, uplift and inspire all ages. It incorporated around thirty ‘ridiculous’ market stalls, specially invented street musicians, rooftop hawkers, singers and vendors of every description.

In their endeavours to ‘reach the parts that other arts don’t reach’ Mischief La-Bas assigned Culture Sparks to scope potential audiences and venues for the Scotland-wide tour before offering six towns in Scotland the chance to host their own street theatre experience. Since July 2009 the ‘Market of Optimism’ has visited Aviemore, Perth and Dumfries, bringing mischief to the lives of locals and tourists alike.

By the end of 2010, three other Scottish towns also shared this experience. Based on recommendations made by Culture Sparks, Mischief La-Bas has actively cleansed, segmented and substantially increased its database as part of a campaign of tactical marketing activity. The findings of the project, including feedback from the ‘Market of Optimism’ events, also informed the creation of the company’s first audience development strategy.