close.r

Faces of loneliness

New production - premiere 18 May 2024 at BILDSTÖRUNG street theatre festival in Detmold.

With the production close.r, TheatreFragile is developing an interdisciplinary foray into the city in search of the various faces of loneliness and questions that deal with the future coexistence of potential communities. Those affected and scientists will be involved in the creation process.

"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, The new loneliness

According to studies, 10-20% of the population are affected by chronic loneliness. To this day, loneliness is seen as a sign of individual failure, as a deficient feeling. Accordingly, loneliness is stigmatised, although all population groups are affected. In relation to politicised issues such as COVID-related social restrictions, digitalisation, demographic change or poverty in old age, the current problem of loneliness is becoming more politically explosive. 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 in society are only just being recognised.

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

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