Café Casablanca was last run in the UK in 2014, and we present it now in an updated form. The setting is historical although it owes as much to the classic Hollywood films depicting the era as it does to strict period authenticity. As such, all characters will present and be seen by the world around them as either male or female. Having said that, all players will be able to request either a male or female presenting character, and are free to consider and are also able to play their character as having a gender identity that differs from their surface presentation.
It’s 1941 and World War II is underway. There will be many nationalities represented including American, Belgian, British, Corsican, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Moroccan, and Norwegian. Many of the characters in the game will have a religious faith. Historically used symbolism will not be permitted within the game; we will instead provide original artwork (not generative AI) using colours and similar shapes to identify the Axis powers. Historical attitudes including jingoism, discrimination, defined gender roles, and attitudes to perceived or actual cowardice will be explored. If you wish to discuss these themes and whether you should play then please reach out to the GM team at:
What kind of LARP is Café Casablanca?
Café Casablanca is broadly in the tradition of UK Freeforms weekend-long games. This means:
- Characters are pre-written and supplied to players after a casting process, rather than player written.
- Character backgrounds will reference a number of pre-prepared unresolved plot elements, which may be resolved in-game.
- Character sheets are very detailed - players often consult them during the game.
- This is not an 'open' game; there are secrets, and spoilers are to be avoided—pre-gaming is discouraged.
- This is a single event, designed to stand alone, rather than being part of an ongoing series of games.
- There are several scheduled events, and event arcs through the game; not all players will interact with all of these arcs.
- Game play is more often 'busy and fun' than traumatic, though emotional play, including tears and raised voices should also be expected.
- There will be very little pre-game workshopping.
- Immersivity though desirable, is likely to be moderate at best (this is run at a hotel—we do not have the ability, or budget to convincingly make it feel like 1940's Morocco)
- Character appropriate costuming is encouraged, but everyone should accept that some people will invest more effort into costuming than others.
- Game breaks are scheduled where players (and GMs) have the opportunity to eat and sleep out of character, and organisers will be unavailable.
- There are mechanics for conflict resolution, relationship evolution, and game specific mini-games. These rules are often optional, and are provided to allow resolution where there is no obvious agreed resolution. They also allow for moments of 'serendipity'.
- Conflict is expected between characters, as some characters will have diametrically opposing goals to others. However no player can be removed from the game by another player’s actions before the closing scenes of the game. (This usually means characters can’t die until the final act).
Your Character
All players will be required to complete a casting form in order to communicate your character preferences. Once all casting forms have been completed, players will be assigned their characters and given a short character hint. It is important that you express any concerns you may have at this time as there may be a possibility of altering the assignment of characters. Your full character sheet will be sent to you closer to the game.
Your character sheet will give you all the information regarding your character. It will include your character’s name and any titles, some general information and stats, an overview of how people see you, some background about your characters, various areas of interest, a summary of goals, any skills, abilities, or items you have, and who you know. All the information on your character sheet is from the point of view of that character and is subjective based on your own knowledge and opinion.
The information provided will give you a baseline for your character however as the game progresses your character may change and grow depending on the interactions you have. There is no right or wrong way to play but we ask you to try and step into your characters shoes for a while and connect with what they might feel, think the way they do, and behave how they would. Allow yourself to make decisions based on what your character would do.
Each character has a list of goals which may help you get started with the character. You may decide to pursue certain goals and abandon others. Sometimes you may find you have contradictory goals and you will need to decide which is the most important to your character.
There will be secrets that will be revealed in game. For this reason we ask that you are careful about what you share with other players prior to the game. Different characters will have different levels of knowledge regarding different plots and discussing plots prior to the game may spoil the experience for another player.
Your character sheet will give you everything you need to get started. We suggest you read it carefully to begin with and after that it is yours to study, transform, cry on and play. The character is yours to interpret however you wish. Feel free to ask any questions to the GMs if you are unsure of something.