close.r

"Loneliness is a gradual process, like ticking raindrops that form a larger puddle... until the wave overwhelms you." Interviewee

With the production close.r, TheatreFragile is developing an interdisciplinary foray into the city in search of the many faces of loneliness and questions about the future coexistence of potential communities.

Affected people and scientists will be involved in the creation process.
The world premiere will take place as part of the BILDSTÖRUNG street theatre festival on 18 May 2024 in Detmold.

Studies suggest that 10-20% of the population is affected by chronic loneliness. Loneliness is still seen as a sign of individual failure, a feeling of inadequacy. Accordingly, loneliness is stigmatised, even though it affects all population groups. The current problem of loneliness is becoming more politically explosive in relation to politicised issues such as COVID-related social restrictions, digitalisation, demographic change or poverty in old age. In countries such as the UK and Japan, loneliness is already on the political agenda. In Germany, the urgency of the phenomenon and its consequences for society are only just being recognised.

"Loneliness comes in many forms. In modern capitalist societies, it has now led to collective isolation. Experts speak of a phenomenon that is spreading like an epidemic." Diana Kinnert, "Die neue Einsamkeit"

The various artistic means, such as mask play, sound collage and picture collages on house walls, interact to create a sensitive and activating space of perception for this intimate and at the same time socially relevant topic.

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The production close.r is part of the conception funding programme of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia. The production is also supported by the Fonds Darstellende Künste, the Kunststiftung NRW, LWL and the Verbund Volksbank OWL Stiftung