Meet the makers and the music from this pioneering story-telling game.

This event takes place in the British Library.

Astrologaster is a comical and participatory story-telling game set in Elizabethan London, inspired by the casebooks of the Elizabethan occultist and ‘agent of the devil,’ Simon Forman. Join Professor Lauren Kassell, historical consultant for the game, in conversation with Jennifer Schneidereit, founder of Nyamyam, the independent studio who created it. They will discuss the making of Astrologaster, which is being showcased in the British Library’s Digital Storytelling exhibition.

Based on historical accounts, Astrologaster is a digital pop-up book, where you turn the pages to follow the story of Doctor Simon Forman, treating patients who seek advice for their personal, professional and medical problems. By examining the position of the stars and selecting readings, you help Forman to diagnose the causes of their troubles and suggest remedies.

Humorous a cappella songs introducing the characters and summarising their ailments are an integral part of the game. Led by soprano Emily Dickens, this event will feature a live vocal quartet performing songs from the Astrologaster soundtrack, composed by Andrea Boccadoro with witty lyrics written by Katharine Neil. This set has never before been performed live.

Jennifer Schneidereit is a game designer, programmer and creative director. In 2010 she co-founded Nyamyam, an award-winning independent game studio based in the UK, which strives to create beautifully crafted games with unconventional concepts.

Lauren Kassell was the historical consultant for developing Astrologaster. She directed the Casebooks Project at Cambridge University to digitise the medical records of the astrologers Simon Forman and Richard Napier. she is Professor of History of Science and Medicine at Cambridge (on leave)and Chair in the History of Science at the European University Institute, Florence.

The conversation and Q&A will be chaired by Stella Wisdom, Digital Curator for Contemporary British Collections and co-curator of the British Library’s Digital Storytelling exhibition.

This event accompanies the British Library’s exhibition Digital Storytelling.

Half price tickets available for Members, students, under 26s and other concession groups.

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Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event.

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